Watermelon bike ride set for tomorrow

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
The Watermelon Festival is here again and the Sixth Annual Watermelon Festival Bike Ride is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
The bike ride is scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m. with registration starting at 6 a.m. at the Russellville High School Fine Arts Building.
The Russellville Kiwanis Club sponsors the event, and the money raised will go to fund the club's community projects, Kiwanis Member Regina Lawler said.
"This is the second year we have sponsored the bike ride," organizer Buddy Purdue said.
"Other organizations did the bike ride prior to us taking it over last year."
There will be two separate rides: One 35-miles long and one 102-miles long. During the rides, there will be several rest stops stocked with drinks and energy foods to cool and keep the riders going, Purdue said.
He added that each participant will receive an armband, t-shirt and goodie bag.
"It is absolutely important that all the riders have on their arm bands," Purdue said. "This is how we know they paid."
He added that anyone who does not have an armband will not be allowed at the rest stops or at the after meal, which will be served after the ride is completed.
"All the energy foods will be provided by Sav-a-lot in Russellville and Pilgrim's Pride will be furnishing the after meal," member Tiffany Cannon said.
In addition to the rest stops, the Russellville Rescue Squad will be following the riders incase an emergency arises during the event.
The Russellville Police Department will also be providing roadblocks on Highway 43 to ensure safe crossing for the riders.
The cost to participate in the ride is $20.