Tour of Somerville Features Cyclists, Bands, Exhibitions

Each week, Patch will give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself.

And while New Jersey may not have the Tour de France, we do have another cycling competition right in Somerset County that's long been a fixture on the professional cycling circuit — the 2012 Tour of Somerville Cycling Series.

Heading over to the four-day event lasting throughout the Memorial Day weekend, you can get some exercise — even if it's walking around and cheering for someone else on a bicycle — do good, and enjoy a little entertainment and eat.

The four-day cycling competition and family festival will last from May 25 through May 28, and each year attracts more than 600 professional and novice cyclists.

The first day includes a 20-mile race for category 3 and 4 cyclists; the second day has a 75-mile race through 13 municipalities for category 1 and 2 cyclists; the third day allows all levels to participate in four short-course races through Bound Brook; and the fourth day allows all levels to compete in six different race challenges before the professional race event later in the day.

Other entertainment, too

But the festival will not just be about bicycle races; it also will be offering live music, kids activities and other entertainment.

On Sunday, the festival will feature a family fun ride at 12:30 p.m. in front of Smalley Middle School in Bound Brook, and Monday will feature the Sports and Music Festival, in addition to the Sanofi Kids’ Pavilion with an animal petting zoo, pony rides, inflatable rides and spin art.

Throughout the afternoon, sponsors and vendors will be on hand to sell food, display products and give samples.

And in the Ferrero tent, the company will give samples of Nutella Crepes, Tic Tacs and Rocher chocolates.

During the Sports and Music festival, to be held on Bridge Street from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., guests will be treated to performances by bands New Tension, French Onion Soup, Slackjaw and School of Rock. Plus, the Somerset YMCA will be hosting a basketball games and boxing clinics, followed by a demonstration by the Somerville Martial Arts Team.

At 2 p.m., the Grove Street Bicycles BMX Demo Team will perform, and, at 3 p.m., the Prime SkateShop of Hillsborough Skateboard Demo Team will perform.

The free festival is held by Middle Earth, and is being supported by Ferrero U.S.A. this year.

Middle Earth will also be selling 50/50 raffle tickets and accepting donations of used cell phones to raise funds for its youth programs. The organization provides a safe environment for youth in need throughout Somerset County.

For more information, or to see a schedule of events, visit tourofsomerville.org.