Northwestern Medicine Lake Bluff Criterium & Block Party-July 27

Downtown Lake Bluff will once again be the scene of one of the most anticipated summer events on the North Shore—the 8th annual Northwestern Medicine Lake Bluff Criterium and Block Party, July 27th, 9:45 am till well after sunset. FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, this fun filled day sponsored by Northwestern Medicine, Knauz Automotive Group, Lake Forest Bank & Trust, ULINE, and others, features 11 bike races with cyclists from 38 states and 15 foreign countries competing for prize $$ totaling over $7,000, kids’ races, Chris Clark BMX acrobatic stunt rider, live music by The Breakfast Club and School of Rock, food, libations, and more.

“Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital is proud to sponsor this world-class cycling event that is filled with family fun and promotes an active and healthy lifestyle for our community.” - Thomas J. McAfee, President, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. Northwestern Medicine will also serve as the official healthcare provider for the event, and will have on-site healthcare professionals to care for participants and spectators who may need medical attention during the event. A full first-aid station will be set up in the fire engine bays at the Lake Bluff Fire Station.

Knauz Automotive Group will once again provide the pace car. All eyes will be on the all-new 2020 Land Rover Evoque, a definite front runner, as it leads the cyclists around the first lap of the course. The Evoque is filled with innovative technology on the inside and contemporary elegance on the outside. Some of the latest models of Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Hyundai, and Sprinter will also be on display throughout the downtown, courtesy of Knauz.

One of the highlights of the race schedule is the kids’ race for youngsters 3 to 9, sponsored by Lake Forest Bank & Trust, starting at 6:15 pm. Staging for this race will begin at 6 pm. Any child who brings their race bib to Suzy’s Swirl, Lake Bluff, will get 2 free ounces off their cup of frozen deliciousness.

The Village of Lake Bluff provides a wonderful and challenging venue for the Criterium, while also offering a fantastic site for the block party. The block party, starting at 4 pm takes place on the Village Green, featuring amazing food from local restaurants and beer provided by Lake Bluff Brewing. The Lake Bluff Community Church will conduct beer sales and a bike raffle with proceeds to benefit World Bicycle Relief. Raffle winner will receive a cycling helmet with their new bikes, courtesy of Northwestern Medicine.

Chris Clark, professional stunt cyclist, will once again perform amazing gravity defying tricks on a bicycle at 4 pm and again at 7 pm. The School of Rock is performing from 6 pm until 7 pm followed by the popular Breakfast Club band performing from 8 pm until 11 pm, both guaranteed to WOW the crowd.

“We’re proud to host this unique special event for our charming town,” stated Lake Bluff Village President Kathleen O’Hara. “It’s highly entertaining and we are so glad we can be the venue for such a world-class sporting event.”

This fabulous celebration of summer guarantees that everyone who attends is a winner. For more information about the Northwestern Medicine Lake Bluff Criterium and Block Party, please contact Race Director, Marco Colbert, 847.644.0277 or visit

www.LakeBluffCriterium.com .