MARQUETTE - This week's kids decorated bike rodeo is back on after a local business stepped up to continue the annual event.
Organizers said last week the bike rodeo had been canceled due to a lack of funds and volunteers.
When representatives from Marquette's Associated Redi-Mix and Block heard the event was going to be canceled, they stepped up.
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Angela Davis
"This was the first year it was going to be canceled and it's such a great community event," said Angela Davis, of Associated Redi-Mix and Block. "We wanted to partake and make sure it continued."
Davis said the plan is for Associated, which is owned by Jim O'Dovero, to also continue sponsoring the event in the future.
The kids bike rodeo provides a chance for kids age 1-14 to show off their decorated bikes, scooters, wagons or other non-motorized vehicle.
"We get great participation," said Debra Nance, the chair of the Marquette Area Fourth of July Committee. "I was telling some people they weren't going to have it and they were disappointed.
"We have a lot of people, but we just didn't have the money, or the people this year."
The rodeo was originally scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday morning at Lakeview Arena, with registration beginning at 9:45 a.m. and a bike decorating event slated for the day before at the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum.
Nance said she wasn't sure if the same schedule would still work, but said the group's website - www.marquettejuly4th.org - would include up-to-date information. Questions can be sent via email to info@marquettejuly4th.org.
Kyle Whitney can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250.