Main Street bustled with the sounds of bikes, cowbells, and live bands on Saturday, Aug 18 as Edwardsville’s community turned out for the city’s third annual Criterium Pro Bike Race and Main Street Pub Crawl.

Pro racers from across the country travelled to Edwardsville for the race, which offers a substantial purse for those competing in the professional level races.

The competition also offers races for other age and experience levels, such as amateur, children’s, and junior races which all received medals of achievement.

Kaila Marshall and her cousin, Sydney, both participated in the children’s race. Both were excited to participate, but Kaila said she was “most excited to ride with [her] cousin and sister.” EHS’ own Gabe Szymarek took fourth place in the Men’s Junior race, racing for The Cyclery and Fitness Center.

The winner of the Men’s Pro Race, Devin Clark, blew through the finish line with a 30-second lead to mass applause and the ringing of many, many cowbells, courtesy of Main Street’s “Race Route Pub Crawl”.

The race route crawl consisted of many food and drink specials for celebrities on wheels and spectators alike at Main Street’s restaurants, including community favorites such as Laurie’s Place, Fiona’s, and Cleveland-Heath. In addition to the free cowbell, participants received a t-shirt and an Edwardsville Criterium cup.

All proceeds from Saturday’s events benefit the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Junior Service Club’s “Boundless Playground” and the Edwardsville Rotary Club.