For the City Times

ROME – Visit Rome is gearing up for its inaugural Rome Fat Bike Fest, taking place Nov.1-3,at Sand Valley. With help from a $7,350 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, festival organizers are marketing the new event to visitors from across Wisconsin and the North-Central Midwest.

“Biking is a big tourism draw in Wisconsin. Last year, our state hosted over 150 bicycling events and we continue to see the popularity of this sport rise thanks to four-season trends like fat tire biking,” said Tourism Secretary-Designee Sara Meaney. “Rome Fat Bike Fest is a great way for biking enthusiasts explore the town’s ancient sand dunes and one-of-a-kind trail system.”

Rome is home to naturally occurring sand dunes that create a unique terrain for fat tire biking. Rome Fat Bike Fest is a competitive event for experienced riders, but also provides activities for novice fat bikers to learn more about the sport. The festival also includes hiking, fishing, and canoe and kayaking opportunities that showcase Sand Valley’s many outdoor recreation offerings.

Grant funds will go towards online, print and broadcast advertising to promote the event to attendees across Wisconsin and neighboring states. Rome Fat Bike Fest is expected to attract 600 attendees, generating an estimated $52,000 in visitor spending to the area.