Lyons Outdoor Games to be held at Sandstone Park, June 12-14

LYONS, CO (March 31, 2009) – The Smith Optics Lyons Outdoor Games, presented by Oskar Blues to be held at Sandstone Park June 12-14, 2009

The Smith Optics Lyons Outdoor Games, presented by Oskar Blues will be held Friday, June 12-14 in Lyons, Colo. In its 7th year, this thriving multi-sport competition now draws the country’s best whitewater kayakers and mountain bikers as well as thousands of spectators.

“People have really flocked to the Games in recent years,” says Lyons Parks and Recreation Director David Cosgrove. “The Lyons Outdoor Games are like the TEVA Mountain Games, but they have a much more hometown, grassroots feel to them. We have the world’s best professional athletes competing—such as kayakers Tao Berman, Joe Keck, and Scott Shipley, who actually lives here—but we also have plenty of opportunities for beginners to learn new skills and for the everyday athlete to test his mettle.”

The Games have also become a place for fly fishers to showcase their talents and for dog lovers to exhibit the aptitude of their well-trained pets. Organizers decided to add a significant number of new events in 2009, including more bike and kayak races, daily chainsaw carving exhibitions, and a skateboarding competition, among other things.

“These added events and the new central location will really help the Games evolve into one of the premier multi-sport competitions of its kind in the Rocky Mountain West”, says Reed Farr lead event organizer and Lyons resident. “I have been coming to the Games for several years, and it’s exciting to see how they have grown and how much the Town of Lyons residents and businesses have embraced the event”.

This year’s vendors and the bands will be located in the town’s centrally located Sandstone Park. The venue, says Cosgrove, will offer more visibility for the Games’ sponsors, who will have tents and equipment for sale during the three-day event. Plus, he adds, “it offers shaded, grassy areas for athletes to relax in between competitions and also for participants to get a beer, a snack, or listen to some of the great music that will be played all day.”

The mountain sports will take place throughout the town’s various world-class facilities: biking events (including the new pump track) will be located in Bohn Park, freestyle kayaking will take place at the Black Bear Hole, slalom kayaking will occur at the October Hole, and the creek race will happen on the South Saint Vrain River. Additionally, the dog events will take place at the Lyons Valley River Park Ponds for dog events, and the Kurt Carlson Skateboard Park will be the location for the skateboarding comp.

The event begins with a kick-off party in Sandstone Park, sponsored by Oskar Blues. Delicious BBQ and the brewery’s signature Dales Pale Ale will be served, in addition to a variety of other fine beers. Saturday’s events start with some bike comps in Bohn Park and a kayak rodeo at the Black Bear Hole (on the east side of Lyons across from the Black Bear Restaurant). Spectator friendly competitions will be held throughout the weekend including freestyle kayaking and creek racing on the Class V waters of the South St. Vrain, mountain bike short track racing and jump competitions. The dogs will be competing for speed and splash in the speed retrieve and canine cannonball competitions.

The Games also include clinics. “If you’re interested in casting a fly rod or learning how to loop a kayak, this is the event to attend,” Cosgrove adds. “We’ve got some of the world’s most elite athletes on board to teach these classes and do demos.”

“The volunteers and sponsors are already getting excited about this year’s Games,” adds Cosgrove. “If the success and numbers of participants and spectators of the past few years indicate anything it’s that this year’s event is going to be the biggest yet.”

Camping will be available in Meadow Park.

To register online please go to www.lyonsoutdoorgames.com. If you have any questions please call Lyons Parks and Recreation at 303-823-8250 or email recreation@townoflyons.com.