2024 Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department
Programs & Special Events
For all Griffin Bike Park Events please click on the link below:
Griffin Bike Park Events
May
- 4th Explore Otter Creek at Mill Dam
- 4th Mothers Day Copper Rose Class
- 15th Thompson Thrift Short Track Series
- 17th West Side End of School Year Movie in the Park at Lee Fields
- 18th Summer in the Village at Fowler
- 18th Blacksmithing Class at Fowler
- 18th Hiking Club at Fowler
- 19th thyssenkrupp Presta North America Pump Track Series
- 27th Afterburner Memorial Day Ride
June
- 1st and 2nd- Free fishing weekend
- 13th – 16th Vintage Camper Rally
- 16th – 19th Micro Camper Rally
- 15th Summer in the Village at Fowler
- 15th Blacksmithing Class at Fowler
- 15th Hiking Club at Fowler- with the Vigo County Public Library Summer Reading Program
- 16th J’s Bikes Dual Slalom Series
- 17th – 21st Crossroads Cyclery Summer Camp at Griffin Bike Park
- 26th Thompson Thrift Short Track
- 30th J’s Bikes Dual Slalom Series
- 29th thyssenkrupp presta North America Pump Track Series
- 29th Griffin Bike Park Dinner
July- NRPA’s National Park and Recreation Month! #WhereYouBelong
- 19th Family Olympic Races- with the Vigo County Public Library
- 20th Summer in the Village at Fowler
- 20th Blacksmithing Class at Fowler
- 20th Kids Hiking at Fowler- animal tracks with the Vigo County Public Library Summer Reading Program
- 24th Thompson Thrift Short Track Series
- 27th thyssenkrupp presta North America Pump Track Series
- 28th J’s Bikes Dual Slalom Series
May 4th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Fowler Park Log Barn
Ages 10+, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
$70 Registration
Preregistration Required
Are you looking for a special homemade gift for your mom? Join us for our Copper Rose classes at the Fowler Park log barn! All participants will get to make their own Copper Rose to take home with them after the class. Tickets can be purchased at the link below:
Blacksmithing Classes
Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fowler Park Pioneer Village
Ages 10+
$60 Registration
Preregistration Required
Check out the blacksmithing classes at Fowler Park! Participants will learn how to operate a blacksmith forge, understand the parts of an anvil, and the uses of various hand tools in the blacksmith shop. They’ll also get to shape metal using learned techniques including forging a curve, a twist, a square, and more! Join the VCPRD for blacksmithing! Classes fill up quickly so make sure to register ahead of time by calling 812-462-3392 or by emailing our Natural Resource Programmer at [email protected].
Afterburner Brewing Company
We will be doing a casual-paced urban ride on the Heritage Trail out to Memorial Stadium Memorial Mile and back to Afterburner.
While at Afterburner make a donation to the Bike Park, Grab a beer, and some grub from the food truck on hand.
2 ride lengths.
7.5 Mile Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45923199
11 Mile Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45923420
Your best 4 out of 5 races including the finals count towards your season-end awards.
Awards to top 3 at each race and top 5 at season end
Men and Women: Strider Bike
• 7 and Under
• 8-10
• 11-14
• 15-18
• Adult
This race is a BMX-style race, BMX and mountain bikes are highly recommended. We encourage all racers to arrive early to check out the pump track and register!
General rules
• If an athlete is younger than 18 years, his parents have to sign the “waiver for minors“ and bring this to the onsite check-in. No waiver = no ride.
• Riders are allowed to participate in as many races as they choose. The best 4 out of 5 races plus the Finals count towards season-end awards.
• All riders have to register and sign the waiver 1st before going on the track for free practice.
• Riders are free to choose their preferred bike. The bike must not have an engine.
• The start will be placed in a way that gives MTB and BMX equal chances.
• Riders will go one at a time.
• Riders get ready with one foot on the ground, the other foot on the pedal,. The time starts running as soon as the rider crosses their start/finish timing line and stops when they cross it again.
• Riders must run 3 laps. Your 3 best laps will be averaged to determine your time and placing.
Please note:
Rider safety
• Riders will bring all equipment needed in a fully operational condition.
• The bike should have at least 1 rear brake.
• No bikes with any kind of automatic transmission, pedal-assist motors, or engines.
• No protruding parts on the bike, which can injure other riders (such as pegs).
• Protective gear.
• Helmet: open face mandatory, full face recommended.
• T-shirt is mandatory, long sleeve with pads is recommended.
• Long pants or knee protection is recommended.
• Shoes mandatory, no flip flops or open shoes.
• Gloves recommended.
Awards
Top 3 to each class per race.
Top 5 per class Season Awards
August 3rd times Quals 5:00p.m. Racing at 6:00 p.m.
$25
$30 Dash for Cash. Non-points 80% payout to top 3 finishers.
Men and Womens
10 and under
11-14
15-18
Adult Men
Rookie Class (non points, 2 wins must move to age class)
Medals to the top 3 finishers in each race.
Awards to Series champions. Must Race 3 races including Finals on September 22
Crossroads Cyclery Summer Day Camp
June 17 – June 21
Ages 8-14
Drop off is 8:00 am and pick up is 5:00 pm each day.
$40 per day or $150 for the full week
Register by June 13
Join us for the Crossroad Cyclery Summer Day Camp! We will provide bike riding clinics, structured rides, hikes, educational content, and fun games and activities all week at the bike park. Be sure to pack clothes to be outdoors, bug spray, sunscreen and a sack lunch. We will have some downtime after lunch and will provide some drinks and snacks.
For registration visit: Crossroads Cyclery Summer Day Camp
Family Olympic Races
July 19
10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
All Ages welcome
Free Admission
Join us in partnership with the Vigo County Public Library to celebrate the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris! Bring your family out to participate in your own mini family Olympics against each other or friends. There will be Rec games, an obstacle course and kayak races to enjoy! All activities are free and you can preregister for kayak races below.