WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — A "Charlie Fest" has been scheduled for Friday and Saturday to honor City Bikes founder and CEO Charlie McCormick, who died May 11 at 60.
Friday, "Toasts and Tales of Charlie" starts at 7 p.m. at Franklin Hall, 1348 Florida Avenue in Washington.
Saturday, "Charlie in the Park" is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Picnic Grove 8 at Rock Creek Park on Beach Drive. Speeches and performance art will begin at noon. Parking is limited so bicycling to the event is encouraged. Drinks will be provided, and bringing your own picnic food is encouraged.
From 1-2 p.m., a "Bike Ride with Charlie" will leave Picnic Grove 8. Led by Clark Weigel and Brian Crowe, the ride will be along the C&O canal — McCormick's favorite route — with options to extend the ride.
"We have designed the celebration in the way we think Charlie would have chosen, and the party would have definitely been his style," said longtime friend Debora Harding. "Trying to get the belly dancers locked in now."
Questions about the bike ride or events can be directed to CharlieMemService@gmail.com.
The funeral service will be a private family affair.
For more than 30 years, McCormick ran City Bikes. Along with the sister store, e-bike shop ElectriCity Bikes, in the Tenleytown neighborhood of Washington, both are temporarily closed following news of his death. Harding said the family hopes to preserve the City Bikes legacy and continue the shops, with discussions under way about new ownership.
