Local organization seeks vendors for bicycle event

By Phil Cobb | May 5, 2015 |

Matt Gaarder

With the inaugural Bicycle Across Missouri (Big BAM) event just a little more than a month away, the Maryville Downtown Improvement Organization is looking for groups or individuals to volunteer as food vendors.

As part of the Big BAM, Maryville will be the third stop in the statewide bike ride and will host a night of entertainment, food and camping.

“We would like to get a nice variety of local people that way, when the bikers come through, they have a taste of what Maryville or northwest Missouri would be like,” MDIO Treasurer Marleen Carmichael said. “We are looking for any group that has a specialty like the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts or any other group. We would like to have them out there to help.”

The Big BAM is a five-day bike ride that begins in the northwest corner of the state. Participants, along with their support groups, will begin in Rock Port and travel through Tarkio and Burlington Junction before arriving 40 miles later in Maryville.

Although the ride is not until next month, MDIO Board President Matt Gaarder believes having the event come through Maryville will help people see the positives Maryville has to offer.

“Well, bringing people who do not live in the community into the community is big for several reasons,” Gaarder said. “One, you think of bicyclist, they think recreation. So, obviously learning about Mozingo Lake, learning about the recreational opportunities that we have in Maryville could bring them back in the future.”

While the event could lead to several individuals coming back to Maryville, Gaarder says the short-term incentives will be important too.

“When you bring people into town, they will spend money at restaurants, convenience stores, stores and things like that,” Gaarder said. “So, it has an economic impact and the latest we had heard was that there are between 900 and 1,000 riders who have registered for this event.”

The Big BAM will begin June 22 and continue through June 26.

Individuals or groups interested in becoming vendors may contact Gaarder at Rapid Refill, 660.562.4657, or Carmichael at Carson’s Sports Grille, 660.582.2699.