Bicycle riders are invited to get festive at Alamosa’s inaugural Halloween “Boo-cycle” Parade. This spirited, costumed community bike ride aims to bring residents together for an afternoon filled with fun, fitness and Halloween celebrations.
Participants are encouraged to showcase their creativity by wearing Halloween costumes as they embark on a ride through the community. In addition to the parade, the event will feature free popcorn and cotton candy, exciting prizes and a variety of family-friendly entertainment.
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT: Halloween Boo-cycle Parade
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 31, from 2-4 p.m.
WHERE: Alamosa Rec Center, 2222 Old Sanford Rd.
MORE: The costume contest is at 2:30 p.m. The community bike ride starts at 3 p.m. and takes a route from the Rec Center through Downtown Alamosa and back. Following the event, find the Alamosa Police Department’s Trunk-or-Treat event at the National Guard Armory and free ice skating from 4-8 p.m. at the Alamosa Ice Rink.
Scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, at the Alamosa Recreation Center, the Boo-cycle Parade has a costume/bike decor contest and followed by a community bike ride. The costume contest takes place at 2:30 p.m., hosted by the Kiwanis Club and judged by the Mayor Ty Coleman. The bike ride will follow at 3 p.m.
The inspiration for the parade came directly from the community, as Recreation Supervisor Shawna Lease said. “The community actually inspired it,” Lease said. “The Alamosa Outdoor Citizen group conducted a survey among bike riders throughout the Valley, and one of the most common requests was for a mass community bike ride. This parade is our response to that request.”
The event is sponsored by Alamosa’s Recreation Department, in collaboration with the Alamosa Bike Coalition and the Generation Wild Coalition. This community-driven initiative highlights the importance of resident input in shaping local activities.
The bike ride itself will kick off at the Alamosa Family Recreation Center and follow a scenic route that includes 20th Street to State Avenue, continuing to Main Street, then Ross Avenue, then returning to 20th Street and finishing back at the Recreation Center.
For Lease, the decision to combine bikes, costumes, and Halloween was a natural fit. “Halloween is such a fun holiday,” she said. “It’s a major celebration for kids, and even adults get to be kids again. So when we considered a community event centered on cycling, it just made sense. You get to have fun, get some exercise, and celebrate Halloween, all in one.”
This year, both first- and second-place prizes will be awarded to adults and kids. Adults can win either a bike or a master mechanic class with the Alamosa Bike Coalition. For children ages 14 and younger, the first-place prize includes a free bike. Second place offers a unique build-a-bike experience, allowing the winner to assemble and take home their very own custom bike.
Building on the spirited atmosphere of community involvement, the Alamosa Kiwanis Club has contributed two bicycles as prizes for the costume contest.
After the parade, families can head across the street to the National Guard Armory for the Alamosa Police Department’s Trunk-or-Treat event. Participants also can enjoy free ice skating from 4-8 p.m. at the Alamosa Ice Rink.
The Alamosa Police Department is seeking donations for its “Candy for the Country” initiative. Drop off candy at Safeway, City Market, Walgreens, Walmart or Family Dollar. Donations can also be made directly at the police department.
Anyone wanting to participate in the Trunk or Treat event is encouraged to reach out to the Alamosa Police Department for more information on how to get involved.
For those who don’t own a bike, the Generation Wild Coalition operates a Shared Gear Library at the Hub on Sixth and San Juan, where people can rent bikes at an affordable cost. This library features approximately 20 adult bikes and 24 youth bikes. Participants are also welcome to bring scooters.
Events like the Boo-cycle Parade emphasize connection and health within the community. As Lease points out, when the community expresses interest in such activities, it’s an opportunity worth taking.
The event also serves to bring families closer together in a town where neighborhoods can be widely dispersed. Lease noted that for families living on the south side of town, accessing trick-or-treating on the north side can be challenging. The Boo-cycle Parade creates a central gathering point for everyone to come together and celebrate.
Lease envisions the Boo-cycle Parade becoming an annual tradition. Looking ahead, she hinted at the possibility of introducing more themed rides, such as reviving the fat tire bike race in the winter or launching other holiday-themed rides.
