Tour De Natick Family Bike Ride Raises Money For Local Students

NATICK, MA - The 19th annual Tour de Natick is returning to the Natick Common on Sunday morning for the first time since the start of the pandemic two years ago.

Organized by the Rotary Club of Natick, event co-chair Dawn Carberry said the number of preregistrations for the family friendly Father's Day event has far surpassed the club's expectations.

"We already have twice as many people preregister than we have in previous years," she explained, noting that there currently more than 200 people signed up. "We typically have more than 300 riders, but I expect that, now that more people are being active, there will be more families wanting to do something fun outdoors on Father's Day."

Bikers will gather at the Natick Common, where the ride will begin at 11 a.m. They will follow a 6-mile loop through Natick and return to the common, where there will be a cookout for participants.

"They will get to have an easy lunch with their families to celebrate Father's Day," Carberry added.

While the Rotary supports many local programs and nonprofits such as the Natick Service Council and the food pantry, Carberry said Sunday's event is the annual fundraiser to benefit Natick students through two initiatives.

"All of the net proceeds will benefit the schools," she explained. "Each year the Rotary Club of Natick gives away over $10,000 in scholarships to graduating Natick High School seniors. Additionally, we give out over 300 dictionaries to every third-grade student. The community has been very supportive of the event."

Rotary president Joseph Gagliardi noted that the dictionaries have the names printed inside, making them a treasured keepsake.

"People have come up to me a decade later to thank the Rotary Club for their dictionaries," he said, noting that the effort has been spearheaded by Andy Meyer for the past 15 years. "And I wouldn't be surprised if some of the participants in the bike ride have received scholarships in the past."

Over the past 15 years, the Tour de Natick has funded over $200,000 in scholarships and 8,000 dictionaries.

This year, Gagliardi explained that 10 local organizations have received at total of $12,000 in donations from the Rotary Club. But Sunday's event is the vehicle for future endeavors.

"Since its inception, we would not have been able to do this without the support of Middlesex Savings Bank as the leading sponsor," he added. "TJX has stepped up as a corporate sponsor. We have great support from local businesses like Coach and Carriage Auto Body and Bernardi Auto Group. Plus Wegman's provides an in-kind donation of the food for the cookout."

For the previous two years, the ride was held virtually, he noted, with participants logging in their time either on their exercise bikes or on the road. But with the pandemic waning, Gagliardi said this is the perfect time for an outdoor gathering.

"Folks are getting ready to get outside again in a safe way and get together," he said. "It's a great Natick tradition, and it's a great way to spend Father's Day."

The Millis Berfield Band will be playing throughout the day, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Carberry thanked the Department of Public Works for hanging the street banner and the Natick Police Department for its assistance with coordinating the traffic.

To register for the race, click here. Individuals can register for $40, while families can participate for $65.