Sal DiMaggio
SOMERVILLE – Memorial Day was a perfect sunny day for the 80th Tour of Somerville.
Besides the traditional bike races, there was something different this year – more people.
People crowded the downtown streets, with their children playing in an inflatable bouncy house on the corner of Main and North Bridge streets. Pop-up shops lined the streets, from alcohol-infused ice cream to local pizzerias serving slices.
This was a welcome change for the event.
Labeled as America’s longest running bike race, attendance had dipped in recent years. However, those in the crowd on May 26 feel like the race is making a comeback.
Somerville resident Marco Paredes has been watching the Tour for the past five years.
“I think before COVID, it was quiet, but now everyone’s outside,” Paredes said. “We must have thousands of people now. Everyone’s outside at their spot. I think it’s the one event that gets all the community together.”
Alyssa Dibiazzo, another resident of Somerville, said she feels the turnout was helped by the nice weather compared to recent years. She also said that she felt the race “put Somerville on the map.”
“We have a small town,” Dibazzio said. “I think it’s a good turnout we get here. It shows people how great this community is, and it’s great for local businesses, too.”
Dibazzio said that she hopes that in future years, there will be more vendors and stores on display.
“I think maybe the part past the race with all the tents set up could be a little bit bigger, like the market,” Dibiazzio said. “I think the great part about it is that it is just a town and family event.”
Piscataway resident Kaumu Cooper was attending a friend’s Memorial Day party in Somerville. He said he was impressed with the turnout.
“I also used to work right around the corner at VintEdge bartending,” Cooper said. “So, I know the Somerville community pretty well. This is a huge event. They’re in years deep, and every festival they have here brings out everybody in the area.”
Dave Startzel, who was visiting his daughter in Somerville, has been attending the race for the past decade and noticed the increase in turnout as well.
“You could see that it was on the decline with COVID, but it’s coming back,” Starzel said. “It’s back to where it was, if not better.”
Startzel also said he hopes that this race will continue to be a tradition for future generations, including his grandchildren.
“The little ones, they live in town, so this is going to be part of their life,” Startzel said.