Tour des Farms
Bike Ride
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Register now at BikeReg.com
Directions/Transportation options
Connecticut is home to an exciting crop of independent singer-songwriters. We?ve chosen Brian Dolzani, Kate Callahan, Frank Critelli, and John Cimabriello to entertain riders at each farm stop with their unique blend of contemporary folk & roots music. At the Tour?s end, riders and non-riders alike are invited to an outdoor evening concert at Hamden?s Miller Complex (2901 Dixwell Ave.) featuring all four singer-songwriters, and crowned by a set by our special guests: the high-energy, gypsy-swingster band Caravan of Thieves.
The Tour des Farms offers a unique opportunity to discover and enjoy local food sources, hidden green spaces and local musicians at the easy-going pace of a leisurely bike ride. Plenty of rest stops at the farms will make the ride enjoyable for most riders over the age of twelve. Best of all, any fresh produce that cyclists have purchased during the day will be transported by volunteers back to the Tour?s ending point and refrigerated until the end of the day.
Pre-register to enjoy discounted fees, event t-shirt and five dollars in ?farm bucks? to spend at the retail outlets on the Tour.
All proceeds from the Tour des Farms registration fees and the evening concert support the educational activities of CT Folk.
- Outdoor concert at end of the ride featuring all the Tour artists plus special guests Caravan of Thieves-- free to registered riders.
- Ride with a guide, or go at your own pace with cue sheets
- SAG support, including transport of any produce purchased
- Rest stops
- Free T-Shirt (as available) for pre-registered riders
- $5.00 in Farm Bucks (valid for purchase of farm products where applicable*) for pre-registered riders.
- Vendors will offer picnic supper during evening concert
The ride is a 25-mile loop that starts and ends at Miller Complex in Hamden (the parking lot of the Hamden public library), 2901 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT. The route includes rolling hills and is appropriate for most riders over 12. We'll ride rain or shine. The concert will be outdoors at the Miller Complex. (Rain venue for evening concert: Square Foot Theatre at the Hamden Plaza, 2100 Dixwell Ave, Hamden -- see Directions page for details.)
Pre-Register at BikeReg.com to get these benefits! Pre-registration includes
- Discounted registration fees (registration is higher on day-of)
- Free T-Shirt (as available)
- $5.00 in Farm Bucks (valid for purchase of farm products where applicable*)
- Free admission to evening concert (starts at 5 pm)
Questions? Email us!
Link to Directions/Transportation optionsCT Folk's Tour des Farms 2010
Registration Opens 8:30 AM
Miller Complex (Hamden public library), 2901 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT
9:00 AM Welcome
About the Route: a brief summary of the route and what to expect. Scheduled stops include Norton Brothers Fruit Farm, Mill River Valley Gardens, Boulder Knoll, Bishop Farms, and the Lock 12 Museum.
9:30 AM
Ride begins. Any produce you purchase during the day will be magically transported
back to Miller Complex for you to pick up later.
4:00 PM
Ride ends at Miller Complex. Pick up your produce here!
5:00 PM
Benefit concert with all of the artists from the Tour plus Caravan of Thieves! All Tour des Farms registrants are welcome to join us at no cost for the evening concert to follow the Tour!
Everyone else is welcome on a suggested-donation basis.
Safety notes:
- All riders must bring and wear their own helmets
- Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
- Standard US Cycle association waiver must be signed on day-of
Brian Dolzani. Brian has won open-mic nights in Atlanta and Philadelphia, and placed Runner-Up in the 2008 'We Are Listening' songwriting contest. He is currently supporting his 5th CD release as well as writing new songs towards his next effort. Brian is based in Fairfield, CT and connects with audiences all over New England and beyond. www.briandolzani.com
Frank Critelli. Over the years Frank's played in streets and subways, coffeehouses, classrooms, barrooms, colleges, festivals, theaters, bookstores, and on sofas. He hosts (and frequently performs at) a long-running monthly concert series at Books & Company in Hamden, CT. His songs are available on compact disc and for download at Independisc Music Club and other places like CD Baby. www.myspace.com/frankcritelli
John Ciambriello. John has been performing music since his teens, as a solo artist and as a member of the bands Out of Hiding and After Autumn. He frequently performs at nursing homes, coffeehouses, churches, and any place where people gather to share a spirit of healing and community. His band After Autumn is recording its first CD for release in fall 2010. www.myspace.com/johnciamby
Kate Callahan. Kate sings, writes and performs her contemporary folk music throughout New England. She has opened shows at the legendary Iron Horse Music Hall and been featured as an emerging artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Kate has won the Hartford Advocate's "Best Solo Performer" Award '02-'04 and the Hartford Courant's "Woman of Character" Award in 2005. She is currently performing, writing, and going to school. www.kate-callahan.com
Some folks have asked us, "Why have you moved the Tour des Farms to August, instead of holding it in September like last year?" The reason is that last year, we scheduled the Tour des Farms to coincide with CT Folk's other big event, the CT Folk Festival and Green Expo. Lots of cyclists told us that they didn't get to enjoy the Festival and Green Expo as much as they would have liked because they were cycling, and Expo attendees told us they were sorry they had missed the cycling. Holding the Tour des Farms on Sunday, August 1, and the Green Expo/Folk Festival on Saturday, Sept. 11 lets everyone celebrate cycling in August... and then celebrate recycling in September. ;-)