July 23, 2008

Copper hosts 19th annual Courage Classic

Nearly 2,500 cyclists will pedal for 3 days with a goal to raise more than $2.6 million.

The Courage Classic returns to Copper Mountain for the 19th annual 3-day, 157-mile bike tour to benefit The Children’s Hospital, July 25 - 28.

Cyclists will test their physical endurance as they ride 157 miles through the glorious Colorado Rockies over three days, pushing themselves up Vail Pass, gliding down the bike path from Copper Mountain to Dillon and then climbing up Fremont Pass and crossing the finish line on Monday in Leadville.

Proceeds from the Courage Classic benefit The Children's Hospital, one of the nation's top pediatric research hospitals.

Courage Classic Entertainment Schedule...*

Friday, July 25 (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.)

Friday’s at Copper (FAC) – Guests won’t want to miss FACs this summer, which include a full day and night of entertainment. The day starts off with free activities for guests that spend at least $30 at Copper, including a free pass for the climbing wall, bumper boats, quad power jump, go-karts and mini-golf. Present $30 worth of receipts to Guest Services at the Mountain Adventure Center in Burning Stones Plaza and get out there and play. Race your family or friends on the only go-kart track in Summit County, conquer a challenging rock climb on the largest climbing wall in CO or soak up some sun on the bumper boats on West Lake.

1 – 5 p.m.
Abbie Lawrence - A clown, a balloon sculptor, a face painter and more. Her humor delights adults and children and guests will be utterly amazed at the balloon characters she can make in seconds.

2 - 6 p.m.
Jeff Schomay - Jeff is the owner of three juggling clubs throughout Colorado including 'The Denver Juggling Club - Jugglers with Altitude,’ where he juggles professionally and teaches juggling to kids.

6 - 8 p.m.
The Band of Heathens – Playing a free show during the Friday Night Street Party, located at the West Lake Overlook, the expert musicianship, the finely-crafted songs and the band's distinct quality of having three front men, each one of whom sings, writes and plays lead guitar leads to their unique brand of Texas twang and country soul.

Dusk, Breaking Away (not rated) - Enjoy a free screening of the classic cycling film, Breaking Away, in Burning Stones Outdoor Theater.

Saturday, July 26
Noon - 4 p.m.
Nora Swanson - Nora will provide various walk-around character animations, comedic walk around, crowd interaction, face painting and balloons.

1 - 5 p.m.
Jeff Schomay - Jeff is the owner of three juggling clubs throughout Colorado including 'The Denver Juggling Club - Jugglers with Altitude,’ where he juggles professionally and teaches juggling to kids.

1 - 5 p.m.
Brian Dino - Forget what you know about the real world...For a humorous trip into the world of the impossible come see Brian, who will provide various walk-around magic tricks and illusions.

7 p.m.
Team Courage Presentation - Join them at the West Lake Overlook for a brief, inspirational program about Team Courage, a group of riders who have overcome great odds to ride in The Courage Classic.

7:30 - 9 p.m.
Montage - Montage features a dynamic core of top musicians behind three divinely talented female vocalists, blending and harmonizing through five decades of R&B, Rock, Motown and Soul songs.

Fireworks over West Lake in celebration of Children's Hospital’s Centennial will begin around dark.

Sunday, July 27
1 - 5 p.m.
Abbie Lawrence - A clown, a balloon sculptor, a face painter and more.

1 - 5 p.m.
“Wild” Bill - "Wild" Bill Patterson is an improvisational wizard and master of comic spontaneity, juggling, unicycling and stilt walking.

6 - 9 p.m.
The Nacho Men - The unique combination of dance music, costume changes, choreography and humor makes The Nacho Men one of Colorado's favorite musical performance groups.

*All times are approximate and events are weather dependent.

For more information or to view the detailed Courage Classic route, visit www.couragetours.com.