Grab your helmet, fill your water bottle, oil your bike chain, and call your friends – the Capital Area Green Belt Association (CAGA) recently announced that it will once again hold its Tour de Belt signature fundraising event in person! Following a two-year hiatus during which the event followed a ride-when-you-can format as a COVID-19 precaution, the 22nd annual Tour de Belt is back and better than ever, including a new Finish Line Fest component offering live music and entertainment, food trucks, and fun activities. Held on Sunday, June 5 at HACC, the Tour de Belt ride will begin at 9 a.m. on the HACC campus with the finish line at Commonwealth Charter Academy where the Finish Line Fest will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
“Tour de Belt is fun-filled event for bikers, walkers, runners, and their families that promotes healthy activity and environmental stewardship. It also raises much needed funds to support one of the capital region’s most beloved outdoor resources, the Greenbelt,” said Neelam Zaver, CAGA board member and Tour de Belt committee chair. “We think that the addition of the Finish Line Fest, this will truly become a community event for everyone to enjoy. Even if you choose not to bike in the Tour de Belt, you can come out, have a good time, and support an important cause!”
During the Tour de Belt ride, bikers will be guided along the Greenbelt, a 24-mile, century-old system of picturesque natural areas, parks, and open areas that winds through the City of Harrisburg, Paxtang and Penbrook Boroughs, and Susquehanna and Swatara Townships.
In past years, the Tour de Belt has brought in more than 1,000 registered participants and over 100 volunteers. The organization anticipates this year’s in-person totals could surpass prior records. A virtual-hybrid event option will also be offered again in 2022. To learn more and to register, visit caga.org/tour-de-belt.
Proceeds raised by the Tour de Belt and Finish Line Fest will benefit CAGA and will be used to support improvements and maintenance of the Greenbelt. In 2021, the budget for these efforts surpassed $7 million and included increased safety of trail crossings at intersections, newly paved sections of the trail, and completion of the new Fort Hunter connection.
“We’re incredibly thankful for the support of our corporate sponsors, and encourage any local businesses or organizations interested in getting involved to reach out to us at caga@caga.org for more information,” Zaver added. “It’s not too late to be a part of this year’s event!”
To date, sponsors of the 2022 Tour de Belt and Finish Line Fest include Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (platinum sponsor), Boyer & Ritter LLC, Daflure, Dauphin County Parks and Recreation, Faulkner Subaru, Pennsylvania American Water, RKL LLP, Starr Insurance Inc., and Wilson Consulting Group.