Orange welcomes bicyclists, local folks for block party

On June 23 the Town of Orange will host a segment of the Bike Virginia 2009 Journey Through Hallowed Ground ride. About 2,000 riders are expected to participate in this five-day event and the Town of Orange’s Orange Downtown Alliance is rolling out the red carpet.
Bike Virginia has been recognized as one of the country’s premier cycling tour groups. Their tours are fully supported five-day events that showcase history, scenery, good company and fun entertainment. All of this is available in Orange County and the Orange Downtown Alliance is coordinating an evening of fun entertainment which will include food, beverages, live entertainment and historic walking tours of the downtown area.
Many downtown businesses will remain open for extended hours to accommodate the Bike Virginia visitors. Two historic sites, the James Madison Museum and St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church will be included on the historic walking tours.
Prior to reaching the Town of Orange, Bike Virginia will have a rest stop at Orange County’s James Madison’s Montpelier. They will spend several hours touring and riding on this 2,700-acre historic estate located about four miles from the Town of Orange. Upon arriving in Orange many cyclists will be staying in a “Tent City” at Orange County High School. It is estimated that as many as 800 tents will be erected for their stay. In addition, many will be staying at local motels and bed-and-breakfasts. The Town of Orange Transit (TOOT) bus system will make continuous trips from Tent City to the downtown area.
Many of the activities planned by the Orange Downtown Alliance for this special event are being supported by sponsors such as Grelen Nursery, Mason Insurance Agency, Premier Virginia Properties and Truslow-Yost Insurance Agency. The Orange Downtown Alliance is being assisted with this event by the Orange County Department of Tourism and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.
Upon leaving Orange on June 24 the Bike Virginia tour will continue on to Culpeper and Charlottesville.
For more information contact ODA Executive Director Jeff Curtis at 672-2540 or
The Orange Downtown Alliance is a non-profit association established to enhance the economic environment of the town of Orange as a center of commerce while maintaining the character and integrity of the town’s central business district as an attractive place to live, work and visit.