The Pine Needle Mountain Bike and Music Festival returns after a three-year absence on June 11. (Facebook/Pine Needle Mountain Bike and Music Festival)

By Rob Mahon

Mountain Bike and Music

Mountain Bike and Music Festival returns for long-awaited tenth year

May 9, 2023 | 4:00 PM

COVID forced a lot of popular events to take multiple years off, many of which are only just this year returning to normal. One of those events is the Pine Needle Mountain Bike and Music Festival.

After a three-year hiatus, the big event returns to Little Red River Park on Sunday, June 11. Organizers have been waiting for all that time to finally have the number of events hit double digits.

“We’ve had lots of people asking about it over the years and it’s great to have our tenth annual, finally,” said Mike Horn, event organizer. “We’re hoping we can pick up where we left off, get lots of people out mountain biking, lots of people out enjoying the music and the food and a great day in the park.”

For six hours that day, starting at 11 in the morning, teams of two or four or individuals will ride their way through a course in the park. While that’s going on, live music will be playing all the while.

“We’ve got five bands that play throughout the day,” Horn said. “Some really good entertainment. We’ve got a food vendor out there, we also have a kids’ event, a kids’ running event that’s held out there as well. It’s just a really fun day at the park.”

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With three years between now and the most recent event, it’s understandable local cycling enthusiasts would react to this with some pent-up enthusiasm. So far, they’ve shown no hesitation coming back to the festival.

“Local mountain bikers and people from out of town as well, we have a huge crew from Saskatoon that usually comes up,” Horn said. “They’re excited to come up as well and participate. We’re just in the organizing phase and trying to get the word out, getting people out there with their bikes.”

Registration is already open, with a website under construction and more details on the Pine Needle Mountain Bike and Music Festival Facebook page. And for riders who are concerned the trail may be too challenging for them, Horn has some encouraging words.

“It’s a fairly novice trail, so really anybody can ride it,” Horn said. “I really encourage people to put together a team with coworkers or neighbours, or friends and family, and be part of this celebration of Little Red River Park.”

Horn also said people could call the phone number on the Pine Needle Mountain Bike and Music Festival Facebook page for more details.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP