Bike Rodeo a huge sucess

When kids at Saturday's annual Tupper Lake Police Department Bike Rodeo and Celebration of Youth weren't eating or riding their bikes in various road courses, they were probably bouncing, sliding and jumping on three large inflatable attractions constructed on the grounds of the Emergency Services Building, as these photos showed.

The man who has been the driving force for Tupper Lake's annual Bike Rodeo since 2008, Officer Michael Vaillancourt, was extremely pleased with the great weather Saturday which featured cloudless skies and warm temperatures. Some of Mike's events in the past have met with rain and cool weather, but like the circus, the rodeo always goes on. When things have been really damp in recent years, the event has been moved inside the fire station on Santa Clara Ave.

He poses above half way through the multi-faceted event with high school volunteer, Samantha Higgins, who is in tenth grade. Samantha also helped last year.

Mike said that day he figures total attendance would top 700 that day, when all riders and their family members were figured into the mix.

He said the 60-foot long inflatable obstacle course was a big hit with the kids this year.

New this year too was the Franklin County Sheriff's Department new high-axle transport vehicle, which came from the U.S. military and which will be used in flooding situations, where raging and deep water has to be crossed.

When kids at Saturday's annual Tupper Lake Police Department Bike Rodeo and Celebration of Youth weren't eating or riding their bikes in various road courses, they were probably bouncing, sliding and jumping on three large inflatable attractions constructed on the grounds of the Emergency Services Building, as these photos showed.

Flutterbug the Clown, a skilled face painter and entertainer, was joined this year by a new clown, BJ. With them Saturday at their booth inside the fire station was their new friend Pailin Hample, who served up a great smile for the Free Press photographer.

Navigating a ride across a two by six board was one of the balance skills at the event.

Fire Chief Royce Cole was keeping a close eye Saturday on the food preparation skills of volunteer Rick Reandeau and Police Chief Eric Proulx, who were working the police department's grill at the 13th annual Bike Rodeo.

Ben Thompson of High Peaks Cyclery was one of two technicians provided by the Lake Placid-based bike shop to do adjustments and tune-ups for any of the young riders who asked at Saturday's very successful Bike Rodeo and Celebration of Youth.

Kiwanis Club members, who each year help Mike Vaillancourt orchestrate his big June event, stayed busy Saturday giving out free helmets to any child who needed one, as part of the police department's commitment to keep kids safe.

Retired police sergeant Wesley Hoyt and his wife, Cindy, were also giving out the mountains of booty. Wesley at one point threatened to toss a frisbee to the Free Press photographer, who declined to go for it.

Amanda Amell was one of the volunteers distributing a handful of police department souvenirs including sun glasses, which she was trying on, frisbees, digital wrist lights, water bottles, all that could be carried home in a nice PD bag.

Inside the fire station Saturday were over a dozen booths where children could get free things, including face painting, which was being applied to Albert Colburn (he didn't look that excited) by volunteer Loren Frazier.

Inside the fire station Saturday were over a dozen booths where children could get free things, including face painting. In the photo Tanner Varden was getting his face decorated by Elaina Daniels.

Veteran fireman Mike Russell was serving sweet drinks from two vats Saturday at the bike rodeo and at one point was joined by a couple happy rodeo-goers, Mike Arsenault and Jeff Thomas.

The youngest participant at the 13th annual Bike Rodeo Saturday was week old Kinsley Cole, newborn of Jessica and Royce. Holding the tiny lass was friend Kristin Pelkey.

Carl Larson and his snow cone team Lindsay Remington and Rylie Fletcher kept their cool product flowing for thirsty bike riders. Over 375 cones they served.

These were some of the more than 400 youngsters who brought their bikes to the police department's Bike Rodeo and Celebration of Youth to show off their bike skills in various ways, learn important road skills, win prizes and fill their bellies with all sorts of tasty things provided by the organizing committee and a half dozen or so local businesses.

Police Sergeant Jordan Nason, the village's K-9 officer, and Trooper Ishmael Ramos, who is the Troop B dog expert, both brought their animals to the Tupper Lake Police Department's Bike Rodeo and Celebration of Youth Saturday. The officers put on a demonstration with their K-9s about noon, which many in the crowd enjoyed.

Fright was on the face of this young climber in the new obstacle course at the bike rodeo.

Bike rider Teagan Amell was at Saturday's event to try his luck at the various skill events, with encouragement from his grandfather, former town supervisor Roger Amell.

Jeevika Branchaud and some fellow riders made a complete stop at the intersection, which was of the points on the bike course Saturday. Code officer Pete Edwards was making sure every rider stopped at the stop sign. Logan Burnette looks on.

Arianna McLear was just about to don the beer goggles to pilot the motorized rig again brought to the Tupper Lake bike rodeo Saturday by the county's STOP-DWI program. The goggles simulate what it is like to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.