The New England Builders’ Ball, a handbuilt show focusing on Northeast-based framebuilders, returns to historic Providence, RI on Friday, October 4, with a lineup of 21 exhibitors.
The Builders’ Ball is just one of 4 important bike events that weekend in Providence. A professional conference, the New England Bike-Walk Summit, runs Fri Oct 4 from 9 am to 5 pm. The racing and expo of the Providence Cyclocross Festival run from Friday afternoon to late Sunday, Oct. 6. And the first-ever Gran Fondo New England takes place on that Sunday as well.
“Providence is a great destination for us every fall,” says Firefly’s Kevin Wolfson. “Between the Builders’ Ball show on Friday night and Cross Fest all weekend, we get a lot of exposure close to home. And these events are great fun, for exhibitors and visitors alike!”
Circle A Cycles is returning to the show for the third time. “Since the Builder’s Ball is more like a party or a gallery opening than a sales expo, it feels less like work, and I feel like we have as much fun as the visitors,” notes Chris Bull. “Providence has always been supportive of local artisans, and with the cross races here it makes for a great crowd.”
Kris Henry of 44 Bikes is another returning exhibitor. “New England has a rich history of bicycle building and racing, which is reflected at the Builders’ Ball. Now take into consideration that there’s a bike advocacy conference, a huge Cross Festival and the Gran Fondo New England, all in the same weekend… now you’ve got something very special happening unlike anything else in the country.”
One notable first-time Ball exhibitor is NAHBS favorite Bilenky Cycle Works. “We’re excited to bring Bilenky Cycle Works to Providence for the Builders’ Ball and Cross Fest,” says Bina Bilenky, who also directs the Philly Bike Expo. “New England is a fantastic market that we hope to tap into more strongly.”
A special guest, Saratoga Frameworks, was more famous under their former name. “This will be our first show as an independent brand, after building and showing Serottas for so many years,” says Saratoga Frameworks Director of Product Design Scott Hock. “We’re excited to go to Providence to show the public that we’re still making some of the finest bikes available.”
“If you ride a bicycle in the northeastern U.S., you need to be in Providence the weekend of October 4-6,” said Builders’ Ball director Eric Weis. “Between the conference, the Builders’ Ball, the races, and the Gran Fondo, Providence really is the epicenter of the bike universe for that weekend.”
WHERE: Providence Biltmore Grand Ballroom, 11 Dorrance St, Providence RI
WHEN: Friday, October 4, 7-10 pm
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://newenglandbuildersball.com/, https://www.facebook.com/newenglandbuildersball, @NEBuildersBall