Ride a bike, support local business and have a drink
Photo by CHANSE WATSON This year’s Kegs and Kickstands finishers pose in front of Radio Brewing on Saturday. Radio Brewing was the final stop on the 12-destination route and hosted a barbecue where the raffle winners were announced.
By CHANSE WATSON
Managing Editor
KELLOGG — In a small community such as the Silver Valley, it is important to small businesses that residents support them and “buy local.”
In order to get folks in their doors, these small businesses turn to organizations like the Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce to get the word out and spread awareness. The Chamber has several methods of accomplishing this task, one of which is hosting events, such as the recently held “Kegs and Kickstands.”
“It’s done in conjunction with ‘Kids and Kickstands’ and is how we kick-off our bike month in the Silver Valley,” said Sarah Murphy, Silver Valley Chamber president.
The third iteration of the event was on June 29. It saw 35 participants sign up and pedal around Kellogg for an afternoon of drinking and fun.
Participants started their adventure at Silver Mountain Resort on June 29, where they were given a goodie-bag of different items and a map that directed them to the different businesses in town. The goal was to then bike ride to each of the listed businesses on the map and get their map signed off by whoever was there to greet them.
Each participating business welcomed the visiting kickstanders with their own version of hospitality. Some offered food and drink, while others offered discounts on their products.
For example, at the Bean coffee shop, participants were treated to a complementary small ice cream.
The businesses benefited from the event by seeing increased foot traffic, raised awareness and maybe even making a little money.
“Kegs and Kickstands is a way to benefit Chamber members,” Murphy said. “It’s a way we get people in their door that may not normally know what they do.”
The participants on the other hand got to enjoy a stress-free ride through town while supporting local businesses and maybe enjoying a drink or two. Those who visited all 12 featured businesses (which was all 35 riders) got to turn in their completed maps for the chance to win raffle prizes at Radio Brewing.
“The reason you go to the end, is if you don’t make it to the end, you don’t get to enter (the raffle) for swag,” Murphy said.
Prizes at the end of the night included gift certificates, clothing, riding gear, drinks and other goodies that were provided by Chamber members.
With another successful year in the books, Murphy was pleased with the turnout and hopes to add more Chamber members and host cities in the future.
“We saw lots of new faces, which was exciting,” she said. “We have talked about holding the event in other cities several times. Now that we have more Chamber members in Pinehurst and Wallace, it’d be easier to do it over several different weekends in June.”
Murphy would also like to thank the riders and businesses for their participation this year, as well as the Chamber’s Kegs and Kickstands committee members.
For more information on the Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce or to become a member, visit its website at www.silvervalleychamber.com, Facebook page or call the office at 208-784-0821.
The Chamber office is located at 10 Station Ave., Kellogg.