The festival is owned by Blue Dog Enterprises and this is Bruce Fina (one of the original founders of Pedro's) and his family and friends. Hence the reason why it was the Pedro's festival for many years.
In 2007, Kenda signed a three year agreement with option for 2 added years to call it the Kenda Bikefest. Dirt Rag magazine also signed on to be the Presented by' sponsor.
Since last November, both Kenda and Dirt Rag have been trying to get a date for the 2009 festival from Bruce. Just about 2 weeks ago, we both got word that he will no longer hold it due to rising costs and declining expo people and declining attendance.
Naturally this was a disappointment for Kenda and Dirt Rag as we invested a lot into the Bikefest.
Bruce offered to sell it a combination of Kenda/Dirt Rag and Mt. Snow. Dirt Rag is launching a new magazine this year and they were not interested in owning the fest with Kenda or others. Mt. Snow does not offer camping so there is a problem there. Selecting a location and a date at this point in time for 2009 is to late.
I called several companies to see if they would attend and all said since they have not heard from the promoters as to a date for 2009, they figured it would not happen and they did not allocate time or the funds to attend.
So sadly I had to tell Bruce that I could not purchase it and that I was sad to see it go.
But who knows- maybe next year we will have something somewhere to go.
Thanks for your interest and support over the years.
If you want to do some XC racing see above.
Regards,
Jim Wannamaker
North America Marketing Director
Bicycle Division
Kenda USA
7095 Americana Parkway
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
In 2007, Kenda signed a three year agreement with option for 2 added years to call it the Kenda Bikefest. Dirt Rag magazine also signed on to be the Presented by' sponsor.
Since last November, both Kenda and Dirt Rag have been trying to get a date for the 2009 festival from Bruce. Just about 2 weeks ago, we both got word that he will no longer hold it due to rising costs and declining expo people and declining attendance.
Naturally this was a disappointment for Kenda and Dirt Rag as we invested a lot into the Bikefest.
Bruce offered to sell it a combination of Kenda/Dirt Rag and Mt. Snow. Dirt Rag is launching a new magazine this year and they were not interested in owning the fest with Kenda or others. Mt. Snow does not offer camping so there is a problem there. Selecting a location and a date at this point in time for 2009 is to late.
I called several companies to see if they would attend and all said since they have not heard from the promoters as to a date for 2009, they figured it would not happen and they did not allocate time or the funds to attend.
So sadly I had to tell Bruce that I could not purchase it and that I was sad to see it go.
But who knows- maybe next year we will have something somewhere to go.
Thanks for your interest and support over the years.
If you want to do some XC racing see above.
Regards,
Jim Wannamaker
North America Marketing Director
Bicycle Division
Kenda USA
7095 Americana Parkway
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
SO sad. Kendafest was always one of my favorites and our LUNA Chix favorites!!! We'll be waiting for it's revivial. Jim -- if there's anything I can do to help let me know!
