Mellow Johnny's Tour Launch Event/Parade, as only Austin can do...

Hey all y'all members of the Austin bike community, there's an event coming up in about a week and a half that sounds freaking INSANE! I don't know how it's all gonna work but check out what Mellow Johnny's and the Alamo Drafthouse are putting on to celebrate the start of the Tour de France:

We would like to invite you to attend our Tour de France Launch party on July 5, 2009 from 6pm-11pm. This event will celebrate the start of the 96th Tour in our parking lot with family activities, contests, raffles, and a viewing of Stage 1 on the big screen provided by Alamo Drafthouse. We hope to create an atmosphere that mimics the festivities surrounding the tour in France that is colorful and lively. Here are a few elements that we hope to implement for the afternoon:

• Podium photobooth – look like you just won the Tour with props such as a yellow jersey, champagne bottle, and podium girls.
  
• Write the names of your favorite stages, riders, or teams all over the street with sidewalk chalk
  
• Craft table with supplies to make your own tour posters – followed by a best in show contest
  
• Crazy Euro fan costume contest
  
• Promo caravans riding by to shower guests with trinkets, samples, and swag
  
• Tricycle race and bike parade around the building
  
• Hourly raffles for chances to win cool bike gear
  
• French-inspired food including crepes, French fries, etc.
  
• Beer, wine, champagne sold by Royal Blue
  
• Music
  
• Store open for business with coverage of the opening ceremonies in Monte Carlo inside

Once the day fades and it becomes dark we will quiet down most other activity and turn our attention to Alamo Drafthouse and their big screen that will be set up in the parking lot. (about 9pm-9:30pm) After watching the entirety of Stage 1, the event will end.

This event has been advertised in the ACA, Mix 94.7, Alamo Drafthouse – web, theatres, email blast, and printed guide – www.twitter.com/mellowjohnnys , http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Austin/Mellow-Johnnys-Bike-Shop/... , http://www.mellowjohnnys.com , in-store, and with our email blast.

The Tour de France is the only race of its kind that extends past the cycling fans and into the living rooms and search engines of the average American. This year in particular with the return of Lance Armstrong in the ranks, coverage of the Tour is sure to have the attention of both Lance-inspired and two-wheeled fanatics alike. Please join us on Fourth of July weekend to kickoff the nearly month long race with style, and come by the shop throughout the month to watch live coverage on our big screen and catch our watch party on July 22 for the most grueling mountain stage with Mix 94.7’s JB and Sandy.

Regards,

Erin O’Neill
Promotions Manager
Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop
erin@mellowjohnnys.com
http://www.mellowjohnnys.com

Sounds like a crazy event, eh? Not only that, but Erin sent me an additional request for all y'all freak bikers out there:

Aside from posting this, I was wondering if you could get some tall bike riders to come down and be a part of the parade and dazzle the crowds a bit. Let me know what you think, it would be fun!

Thanks,

Erin O'Neill

There's something to be said about a bike shop that WANTS the weirdos to come out of the woodwork and invade their event. If you have a strange bike, make sure you show up and represent! I'm going to try and have mine up and running by then, and if not I'll be sure to bring something wacky...