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2014 was one of Tour de Belleville’s biggest years with some of the best costumes

Belleville News-Democrat
·1 min read

A BND series about what makes Belleville and southwestern Illinois a unique place to live. Send questions and tips to newsroom@bnd.com.

More than 2,300 bicyclists and 200 volunteers participated in Tour de Belleville in 2014, one of the biggest years for the annual nighttime bike ride on the streets of Belleville.

The theme was “No Place Like Home,” and many people went all out to decorate their bikes and dress like Dorothy, Scarecrow, the Wicked Witch and other characters from “The Wizard of Oz.”

The ride started in 2006 with about 500 participants and grew quickly. For years, a pre-ride party was held in the Union United Methodist Church parking lot with food, live music, bike raffles and other activities. In 2022, it was moved to a rural trail and subdivision near Eckert’s Orchard.

City officials recently announced that this year’s ride will be the last, citing safety concerns and the high cost of paying overtime wages for police and Street Department employees.

Here’s a walk down Memory Lane or, more appropriately, the Yellowbrick Road with photos from 2014:

Bicyclists pose for photos in costumes based on characters from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Bicyclists pose for photos in costumes based on characters from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Scarecrows Deon Schneider and Nick Schneider, of O’Fallon, Missouri, get ready to ride.
Scarecrows Deon Schneider and Nick Schneider, of O’Fallon, Missouri, get ready to ride.
Bicyclists in matching yellow T-shirts listen to music at a party before the ride.
Bicyclists in matching yellow T-shirts listen to music at a party before the ride.
Straight Six Band performs in the rear parking lot at Union United Methodist Church.
Straight Six Band performs in the rear parking lot at Union United Methodist Church.
Allan Hogg with Cycle of Giving Books and Bikes repairs a bike before the ride.
Allan Hogg with Cycle of Giving Books and Bikes repairs a bike before the ride.
Susan Brennan snaps a photo of daughters Kelly Cohn and Natalie Cohn, both 10.
Susan Brennan snaps a photo of daughters Kelly Cohn and Natalie Cohn, both 10.
Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert and Otto, the city’s German mascot, lead bicyclists in a Corvette.
Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert and Otto, the city’s German mascot, lead bicyclists in a Corvette.
Bicyclists, including Tara Renneke in a Dorothy costume, make their way down East Main Street.
Bicyclists, including Tara Renneke in a Dorothy costume, make their way down East Main Street.
This unidentified bicyclist cruises with a flying monkey looking over his shoulder.
This unidentified bicyclist cruises with a flying monkey looking over his shoulder.
Retired Judge Annette Eckert and husband U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart cheer on bicyclists along East Main.
Retired Judge Annette Eckert and husband U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart cheer on bicyclists along East Main.
Deon Schneider and Nick Schneider of O’Fallon, Missouri, ride in scarecrow costumes.
Deon Schneider and Nick Schneider of O’Fallon, Missouri, ride in scarecrow costumes.
Tara Renneke wears a Dorothy costume with ruby slippers on a bicycle with balloons.
Tara Renneke wears a Dorothy costume with ruby slippers on a bicycle with balloons.
Kendra Campbell, of Breese, wears a flying monkey costume for the ride.
Kendra Campbell, of Breese, wears a flying monkey costume for the ride.
A large group of friends and family ride on East Main Street.
A large group of friends and family ride on East Main Street.
A crowd cheers on bicyclists from the corner of Church and East Main streets.
A crowd cheers on bicyclists from the corner of Church and East Main streets.
Lights strung across East Main Street provide a festive canopy for the bicyclists.
Lights strung across East Main Street provide a festive canopy for the bicyclists.
A singer for the Tavern on Main crowd also entertains bicyclists on East Main Street.
A singer for the Tavern on Main crowd also entertains bicyclists on East Main Street.
A group draws attention with neon lights on their bicycles.
A group draws attention with neon lights on their bicycles.