FREDERICK, Okla_Frederick now has a new title, the 2012 "Favorite Oklahoma Freewheel Town" in the state. Back in June, the Frederick Chamber of Commerce played host to about 800 bicyclists for the launch of the 34th Annual "Free Wheel" event.
Each year, bikers wind their way through the state on a pleasure ride that lasts about a week and make several stops along the way. This year's tour started in Frederick and ended just across the Kansas state line.
Executive Director Sharon Bennett said there were seven towns in all. She said cyclists were given a sheet and asked to rate each town from 1 to 10. Frederick won and became the first host town to do so.
Bicyclists gathered on Tillman County's Courthouse lawn June 9th. Hundreds of people camped out ready to bike through seven Oklahoma towns to Kansas. One resident said he was skeptical because although he had heard of "free wheel," he had never participated.
But the event quickly won him over.
"It was just really a neat event. This whole community got behind it."
Another resident suggested the town get involved even more, so they did. With about 60 unwanted bicycles given to them by the police department Frederick citizens painted the bikes different colors, added extra things to them and even hung them up, literally, in different places around town as a welcome to the hundreds of visiting riders.
"It was great. people were bringing them out the last day. Some had brought them out previously people did not know what to expect in Frederick whenever they drove through," Michelle Wood of Frederick said.
Chamber of Commerce official Sharon Bennett said they were aware of the competition and felt the decorated bikes is what won the town the award.
"To us that was just something that was icing on the cake and it was fun to do."
She said while it was enjoyable it was still a bit nerve wrecking.
"I think it was the unknown factor, because I've never attended an event or a host town. I just didn't know what to expect. were told, 850 extra people in your town, camping on your courthouse lawn, what can happen?"
What did happen, was that the town of Frederick made a terrific impression on the cyclists.
"We knew Frederick could do this and come together and a lot of small towns in Southwest Oklahoma do this everyday for different projects, they just don't always get the recognition. Then again I think that's just the spirit we have here in Southwest Oklahoma and in Frederick."
Although Frederick would like the host the event again next year, officials said it may be a few years before they have the opportunity.
The Frederick Chamber of Commerce is planning another community event by painting hundreds of chairs for their "Arts for Action" event in September.
