Downtown Doylestown streets will close for what organizers call "Bucks County's Biggest Weekend" on Sunday, Sept. 13, when the 22nd Bucks County Classic criterium and the 35th Doylestown Arts Festival share the same blocks simultaneously.

Both events are free to attend and run rain or shine.

The bike race, organized by MSH Productions LLC, sends professional and amateur cyclists around a 1.4-mile, eight-turn closed circuit that starts and finishes at the monument at Court and Main streets. Racing begins at 9 a.m. with amateur categories for USA Cycling license holders, including masters men (35-plus, 45-plus and 55-plus), amateur women at 9:45 a.m. and amateur men at 10:20 a.m.

The marquee professional events follow in the afternoon: the Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Pro Women's race (50 kilometers) at 11:40 a.m. and the Thompson Pro Men's race (100 kilometers) at 1:55 p.m. The men's field is capped at 120 riders and the women's at 100. Both pro fields had already triggered waitlists as of mid-August, according to Central Bucks News.

Race director Laura Reppert said in a July 22 Patch article previewing the race: "The Bucks County Classic is the only major race in the country that takes place in a town and not a city. The atmosphere, course, and community support have made this race a destination for racers each year."

No racing license is needed to join in. A free "Ride the Course" session at 11:10 a.m. opens the circuit to anyone with a bike and helmet for 20 minutes at a casual pace. The Jarrett Vaughan Builders Kids Races follow at 1:05 p.m., giving children a chance to sprint to the finish line.

An expo area on Court Street between Pine and Broad streets will feature food trucks, local businesses and bike industry partners.

Inside the race course, the Doylestown Arts Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with more than 160 juried artists, live music on five stages and interactive demonstrations, according to the festival's official website. The festival, organized by Discover Doylestown and presented by the Thompson Organization, marks its 35th year. It opens Saturday, Sept. 12, and continues through Sunday.

Borough Council unanimously approved the return of a beer garden to the festival, operated by Discover Doylestown in the Pine Street parking lot near East State and South Pine streets, with beer from Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co. under a state exposition permit.

Volunteers known as the "blue shirts" handle everything from setup to parking management. More than 100 volunteers staff the arts festival each year, according to Discover Doylestown.

Online registration for the bike race closes Wednesday, Sept. 9. Amateur entry fees are $40 before the deadline and $50 after. Pro women pay $50 early, $60 late; pro men pay $60 early, $70 late. Registration and volunteer signups are available at buckscountyclassic.com.

Coming up:

  • Sept. 9 — Online registration deadline for the Bucks County Classic
  • Sept. 12–13 — 35th Doylestown Arts Festival, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., free
  • Sept. 13 — 22nd Bucks County Classic, racing from 9 a.m., free to watch