Bainbridge Bikefest is peaking its 17th Annual Rally with only eight weeks before the gates open.

Decatur County has issued Bainbridge Bikefest an unknown permit from 1982 for a mass gathering at a cost of $2500.  This permit is for any event with 500 or more individuals at one time.  Just a note to all other events, charitable or not you will be faced with this new permit fee.

It is rumored that some of Decatur County citizens believe that Bainbridge Bikefest is funded by taxpayer’s dollars, when in fact it is funded entirely by sponsors and worked strictly by volunteers.  Bainbridge Bikefest is a nonprofit charitable organization, which has given away over $771,000 to national and local charities, including Shiners ($149,000), Salvation Army ($143,000), JDRF ($143,000), Decatur County Rescue Unit ($47,000) and DCVFD ($56,000), just to name a few.  Bikefest has also given individual children in the county $44,000.

Over the last 16 years, Bainbridge Bikefest has contributed to the economic growth of Decatur County, the City of Bainbridge and surrounding areas during the time of year when many businesses revenue is much lower.

The Bainbridge Bikefest Chairman attended a commissioners meeting on July 22 and asked for the permit fee to be waived and was denied.  Due to this permit fee, our charities will be cut short the $2,500.

In conclusion Bainbridge Bikefest organizers past and present would like to thank our loyal and long time sponsors as well as volunteers.