Bikes, Bands and Healthy Bodies Weekend

GAINESVILLE - They'll try again this weekend to run the 6th Annual Downtown Gainesville Gran Prix Criterium Bike Race which fell victim to rainy weather earlier in the year.

This year's race will feature some of the top teams from Florida, Alabama, the Carolinas and throughout Georgia. The course will be a loop formed by Washington, W. Academy, Spring and Green Streets.

The races will start at 5:30 p.m. with streets being closed at 5:00 p.m.

Set up for the start/finish line and fencing leading into this area within the 100 block of Spring Street (south side of the Square) will begin around 7:00 a.m. Saturday. This will eliminate on-street parking in this block all day. The remaining parking will be open until the course is closed at 5 p.m. except in the 100 block of Main Street which will be closed at noon for the Music on Main event.

This year's race will be a part of a larger event called Bikes, Bands, and Healthy Bodies Weekend, according to Main Street Gainesville Executive Director Joe Burnett.

There will be activities on the Square for kids staring at 3:00. In addition, new this year will be a Music on Main event in the 100 block of Main Street. A stage will be set up at the Spring Street end of the block with five bands playing starting at 2:00. Scott's on the Square will set up tables and chairs in this block for food as well as beer and wine sales during the event. Other restaurants will be allowed to have expanded sidewalk cafes for the race. Many retailers will tie into the event with "sidewalk sales," extended hours, etc.

Also, Friday night, there will be an event of a different type downtown... an Arts Council concert featuring The Drifters from 8:00-10:00 at the Smithgall Arts Center. Tickets are $25 by calling 770-534-2787.