Wednesday, July 23, 2003

Mohawk College, in partnership with the Hamilton 2003 Festival Organizing Committee today announced an exciting community event, Mohawk in Motion, which will take place at the College's Fennell Campus during the Road World Championships in October.

Mohawk in Motion, a three-day outdoor community event from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from October 10 to 12, will provide a mountain base for activities for Hamilton residents and race spectators. Participants will be able to watch the world's best cyclists speed by and also enjoy a variety of activities that will appeal to a wide audience. The event is free to the public, though some specific activities may require a fee.

The Mohawk in Motion program of events includes:

* Cycle City -- bicycle related activities -- bicycle safety, cycling demonstrations, Variety Village adaptive bike demonstration, local cycle shop vendors and not-for-profit organizations, as well as an Extreme Bike Show on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

* Children's Area -- five free interactive stations for children, including crafts and cycling-themed games, rock climbing wall, inflatable interactive games, Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys' and Girls' Club Tween Zone, United Way activity station, face painting, balloon animals and more…

* Big Tent -- food services, plus large screen televisions with race coverage and cycling features

* Entertainment -- Between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the Main Stage, there will be four daily acts, featuring Practically Hip, Daytrippers, Mike Woods, the Mohawk Jazz Band and more. Buskers and performers will be circulating throughout the event site as well.

* Extreme Seats -- A contest that will run prior to the Road Worlds with ten winners receiving a preferred seating location on Fennell Avenue, free food and beverage, a t-shirt and Muskoka Chair

Parking will be free at Mohawk College via the West 5th entrance. Supervised bicycle parking will also be provided. Mohawk College, Fennell Campus, is located on the Fennell Avenue straightaway portion of the race course, between West 5th and Garth Street. The college is an easy five to ten minute walk to all three race accesses -- James Mountain (West 5th), Beckett Drive (Queen Street) and Claremont Access (Upper James).

Jack Pelech, Hamilton 2003 Festival Chair commented, "Sue Vattay, Ann Clark and their team have put together an outstanding program of events at Mohawk College that will be a real hub of activity on the Mountain for the Hamilton 2003 World Cycling Festival. The activities there will appeal to the whole family. Mohawk has been a tremendous partner of the Road World Championships from the start, they have truly embraced the opportunity to welcome the world here in October and showcase the best of our community."

Sue Vattay, Mohawk College Cycling Liaison said, "Mohawk College would like to invite everyone to experience the Road World Championships through the Window on the Worlds at Mohawk in Motion. We believe our program will add to the enjoyment of those watching the race and provide another way for the community to participate in the World Cycling Festival. On behalf of Mohawk in Motion, we would like to thank our many community partners."

The Hamilton 2003 Festival will be a week-long Celebration of Canadian Culture from October 5 to 12, complementing the Road World Cycling Championships. The Festival will get started on September 24 with the United Way "Gear up for World Cycling" Stationary Bike Challenge; other festival events include the Opening Ceremonies on October 5, a Gala Dinner on October 10, an Aboriginal Festival at Bayfront Park, the Downtown and International Village BIAs' "Rib Row", Hamilton Regional Arts Council's rooftop arts marketplace at Jackson Square, events at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and "Mohawk In Motion" at Mohawk College. For more information on the Hamilton 2003 Road World Championships and Festival, visit the official web site www.hamilton2003.com or phone (905) 524-3378.