Sunday, June 4 event to feature celebrity bike captains Anthony Mackie, Pinky Cole, Grady Jarrett, DJ Mars and Crystal Hayslett
As part of its commitment to equity, inclusivity, healthy lifestyles and cultural discovery, the Atlanta BeltLine is partnering with entertainment legend Big Tigger and his Big Tigger Foundation to debut the inaugural Big Tigger’s BeltLine BikeFest, presented by Aetna Better Health of Georgia & 1-800-TruckWreck.
On Sunday, June 4, from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., the entire community is invited to join Tigger and his celebrity friends, including Atlanta Falcons’ Grady Jarrett, Captain America’s award-winning actor Anthony Mackie, Slutty Vegan’s Pinky Cole, Tyler Perry’s Sistas’ Crystal Hayslett and Atlanta legend and custom bike designer DJ Mars, on a 1.5-mile group bike ride through Atlanta’s newest and now largest greenspace, Westside Park. Participation is free, but registration is required.
The idea for BeltLine BikeFest came from Big Tigger himself, who reached out to the BeltLine to help him bring his vision to life. He wanted to connect his rediscovered love of biking with his long-held desire to give back to the community by sharing the benefits of exercise and healthy living.
“I can still remember when I got my first bike as a kid. It changed my life,” said Tigger on his inspiration for the event. “In fact, during the pandemic, riding my bike along the BeltLine was one of the few things that kept me optimistic. It’s important to me that our community stays physically active. We all need to live longer, healthier, more productive lives, not only for ourselves but for the generations following us. I also want Atlanta to see the BeltLine as a resource towards those goals.”
Immediately following the group rides, Westside Park will be activated into a family festival with a health fair, free health checks, food trucks from Slutty Vegan and Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, bike lessons from Kidokinetics, kids activities, DJs and live music performances, all curated by the Big Tigger Foundation. Free food will be offered to the first 200 guests. As part of the event, more than 100 bikes and helmets will also be given to Atlanta Public School students from surrounding BeltLine neighborhoods.
“When Tigger reached out to us, we knew we had to make this happen,” said Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “The BeltLine was designed for this. It was created to be a connecting point of ideas, people and common goals and a conduit for collaboration. And Tigger’s event is just that - an idea born out of the community and completely backed by the BeltLine. His vision was brilliant in its ability to bring together all the elements that make our city great, in honor of our shared love and respect for one another.”
BikeFest is also a part of the BeltLine’s pledge of support to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ “Year of the Youth.” The initiative ensures Atlanta’s children, youth and young adults have the resources necessary to thrive. The Atlanta BeltLine has long worked with Atlanta Public Schools and students and continues to expand its programming.
“We believe wholeheartedly in the potential and opportunity that exists when the entirety of our city can rally behind our youth,” said Nonet Sykes, Atlanta BeltLine’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. “We want the next generation of Atlantans to know that the BeltLine was created for them as well. This weekend also reinforces the BeltLine’s vision of being a holistic path to well-being. Big Tigger’s BeltLine BikeFest is a true representation of that.”
BikeFest event sponsors include presenting sponsor Aetna Better Health of Georgia; gold sponsor 1-800 Truck Wreck; media sponsor V-103; and bronze sponsors Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Influences Everything, Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Fulton County Board of Health and Human Services, Georgia Aquarium, Kidokinetics, NASCAR, The Coca-Cola Company and Walmart.
For more information on Big Tigger’s BeltLine BikeFest, including performance schedules, group ride sign-up, participating vendors and other engagement opportunities, visit beltline.org.
About Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.: Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.
About Big Tigger and The Big Tigger Foundation: Radio personality. Emmy Award Winner. DJ. Philanthropist. Big Tigger has earned his place as one of the most distinctive broadcast personalities. Currently the host of a show that bears his name, The Big Tigger Show on V-103 (WVEE-FM) in Atlanta, Tigger connects with millions of loyal fans Monday through Friday. Tigger is one of the most popular media talents, and his audience knows what to expect…a daily dose of the hottest music, the latest entertainment news, and an inside look behind the music. Charity is also central to who Tigger is, so he created The Big Tigger Foundation (BTF), a 5013c non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening diverse urban communities through proactive, innovative programming. Based in the belief that knowledge is the key to improving issues affecting the community, BTF is focused on uplifting the youth through education and the promotion of healthy lifestyles through mental and physical fitness. Learn more here www.BigTigger.Foundation and follow on Instagram @thebtfoundation.
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