Get ready, Shorewood! The summer’s most fantastic bike race, the 5th annual Shorewood Criterium, returns to our Village on Thursday, July 17. This popular event is part of the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic - also known as “Superweek” - the world’s largest, multi-category cycling event in the U.S. This 40th annual event will take place from July 11-27 and feature races in 12 city centers throughout eastern Wisconsin.The Criterium is a powerful fusion of the best athletes in the world and today’s high-tech bicycles in an explosion of speed, power and excitement. The event features hundreds of top professional and elite amateur cyclists and teams from across the U.S. plus more than 20 foreign countries!

This year’s Criterium is presented by the Shorewood Foundation with Major/Title Sponsors Tim Hart D.D.S and Rainbow Jersey Bicycles. The race is produced by the Shorewood Business Improvement District (BID).

The men’s and women’s Pro/Am races will start at approximately 4 p.m. The day’s events will also feature a Junior Bike Roll for neighborhood children ages 3-7 with helmets. Plus, Shorewood shoppers are encouraged to register to win one of two Trek Lime bicycles by visiting any participating Shorewood business. Winners will be drawn at approximately 8 p.m. after the races are over on July 17.

The 5th annual Shorewood Criterium will again wind its way through the heart of Shorewood’s business district and neighboring residential streets. “We’re excited about bringing this great race back to our community for the fifth year in a row,” says Tim Ryan, President of the Shorewood BID Board of Directors. “The Criterium’s successful record of attracting thousands of spectators and potential shoppers offers many advantages to businesses and we encourage everyone to join in and help promote the race.” Major/Title sponsors of the race are Tim Hart D.D.S. and Rainbow Jersey Bicycles.

Many thanks to our other race sponsors: Garden Room/Anaba Tea Room, Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, Eastmore Real Estate, North Shore Bank, Harry’s Bar & Grill, Harleys: The Store for Men, Culver’s in Shorewood, Hubbard Park Lodge, Sunrise Senior Living, American Family/Peter Gramoll Agency, Shorewood’s Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors, Nehring’s Sendik’s on Oakland, Northshore Wheels, Shorewood Family Chiropractic, State Farm Insurance/Diana Kostal Agency, the Shorewood Men’s Club, Allstate Insurance/Andrew McCabe Agency, Chiropractic Company, Village Pub & Grille, North Star American Bistro, the Plaisted Group, Caprile Marketing/Design, Edward Jones/Mike O’Brien, Integrative Health Services, the Village of Shorewood Trustees, Keith Schmitz/KR PR, Shorewood’s Pick ’n Save/Roundy’s, Alliance Francaise de Milwaukee, Friends of the Shorewood Library, Gail Ganley/Coldwell Banker, Northshore Funeral Services, the Sprint Store, Stowell Associates SelectStaff, and Starkmedia.

Spectators are encouraged to stay after the race to meet the racers and purchase a variety of food items on sale from local businesses. For a complete racing schedule, visit www.internationalcycling.com. For more information about the Shorewood Business Improvement District, contact Jim Plaisted, Executive Director, at 414-272-5823 (jim@shorewoodwi.com).

A summer tradition on the lawn of Shorewood High School at Oakland Avenue and Capitol Drive. This year's event is sponsored by the Village of Shorewood as we welcome new residents to the community. Bring your lawn chair and blankets and join us for a special summer evening under the stars. There also will be nacks for sale and pre-movie entertainment. The whole family will love it!

Special events are staged each year throughout the business district to promote Shorewood’s diverse and unique businesses and all the great reasons that make Shorewood such a desirable place to live, work and shop. Events sponsored by the Shorewood Business Improvement District include:

• Streetscape Saturdays: April 19, May 17 and June 21 A series of new Saturday events to promote shopping in Shorewood and support local merchants during the completion of Shorewood's streetscaping project. Enjoy musical entertainment and street performers, free giveaways and special offers from local retailers. Check out the amazing construction equipment and meet and greet the DPW staff!

The Shorewood Business Improvement District is pleased to stage its third and final Streetscape Saturday on June 21. This day-long event throughout the business district along Oakland Ave. and Capitol Dr. will put a new spin on shopping and dining in Shorewood. "Streetscape Saturdays" have been designed to attract customers to the Shorewood business district during its streetscaping project. Shop Shorewood: Spend the Day is the motto for buying locally and making sure area businesses not only survive, but thrive, this season. Read more.