People get ready to head out on the mass community ride from Winona Lake to downtown Warsaw as part of the first day of Kosciusko County Velo Cycling Club’s 2023 Fat & Skinny Tire Fest on Friday, May 19. This year’s ride started at the Miller Sunset Pavilion.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A rainy evening didn’t stop the Kosciusko County Velo Cycling Club’s Fat & Skinny Tire Fest from kicking off on Friday, May 19.

The 18th annual festival’s opening day activities occurred this year in conjunction with Main Street Warsaw’s Third Friday.

The latter event began at 5 p.m., with a variety of food trucks for people to choose from. Third Friday also provided music by Beez and the Rocker featuring the Leesburg Wrecking Crew.

Fat & Skinny’s activities began with the opening ceremony, held this year at Miller Sunset Pavilion.

Speakers included KCV Cycling Club President Mike Cusick.

He thanked sponsors and volunteers.

“We actually have a record number of volunteers this year, approximately 300 who are helping to make our … events happen over the next three days,” he said.

He thanked Kosciusko County, Winona Lake and Warsaw for their support of the festival, including the police officers that came out to help escort people on the traditional mass community ride after the ceremony into downtown Warsaw.

K21 Health Foundation President and CEO Rich Haddad then spoke. K21 is the title sponsor of Fat & Skinny.

“This is in my opinion, and I think maybe even our foundation’s opinion one of the highlights of the entire year for our communities, the Fat & Skinny Tire Fest,” he said. “I’m so glad all of you are here.”

“This is just an incredible show of our community spirit that we want to share with you. If you’re from our community, this is why you love it,” he continued. “If you’re visiting our community, you might want to consider our community because this is special stuff that we get to experience all weekend.”

He thanked KCV for it “lead(ing the) community in continuing to grow as a bicycle community.”

“The entire organization is volunteer-led and volunteer-run and volunteer work, and so again that is quite unique,” said Haddad. “I don’t know how long they can sustain that, but it’s amazing in the 20 years what they’ve done and how they’ve helped grow our community, so thank you KCV Cycling.”

The next to speak was Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach.

He noted Fat & Skinny was “the first big event we have this summer” in Winona Lake.

In his remarks, Allebach thanked everyone for coming out despite the weather.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer was next to speak.

He was joined by a number of family members who participated in the ride with him, including his grandchildren.

“Thank you all. It’s a beautiful facility here,” he said, referring to the pavilion. “Come to Warsaw tonight. We’re going to have some fun.”

Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board President Rob Bishop then spoke.

He thanked county residents for helping lead to the creation of the board last year.

“It’s the foundation that you all have laid (in doing outdoor activities) that caused the county to decide they needed a county parks board,” said Bishop.

He noted the board is working to help connect trails across the county for cycling.

Up next speaking was special guest Margaret Barawskas, who is the new Bicycle Indiana executive director.

She explained about the organization.

“We advocate, educate and promote bicycle safety, but also just resources across the state,” she said.

Riders then embarked to downtown Warsaw, with one organizer estimating there were 250 people that participated.

People later enjoyed watching several groups race in the Zimmer Biomet Downtown Criterium.

Staci Young, center, and her kids, Jayden Young, left, and Dylan Young were some of the participants in the ride.

Before the ride, Fat & Skinny’s opening ceremony took place at the pavilion. KCV Cycling Club President Mike Cusick was one of the speakers during it.

K21 Health Foundation President and CEO Rich Haddad talks during the ceremony. K21 is the title sponsor for the festival.

Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach speaks during the ceremony.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer talks during the ceremony.

Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board President Rob Bishop speaks during the ceremony.

New Bicycle Indiana Executive Director Margaret Barawskas talks during the ceremony.

KCV Cycling Club Treasurer Nick Hauck helps dry the street in Warsaw before Fat & Skinny’s Zimmer Biomet Downtown Criterium started Friday.

Cyclists line up in the first race of the criterium.

Cyclists turn down Buffalo Street during the criterium.

Main Street Warsaw’s Third Friday was held in conjunction with the first night of Fat & Skinny. Beez and the Rocker featuring the Leesburg Wrecking Crew perform as part of that.

Tommie Anderson, left, and Khesed Koser enjoyed playing cornhole in downtown Warsaw on Friday.