Video

By C-T Photo/Butch Shaffer

One of the many kids activities at the Chillicothe Tour of Missouri Fun Zone

Photo: Butch Shaffer

By C-T Photo/Butch Shaffer

Photo: Butch Shaffer

Photo by: Matt Jones

Photo: Matt Jones

Anne Hoppe/Hedrick Medical Center

Anne Hoppe/Hedrick Medical Center

Anne Hoppe/Hedrick Medical Center

Anne Hoppe/Hedrick Medical Center

Heather Deshaynes/Hedrick Medical Center

Chillicothe hosted the world’s top bicyclists Saturday as the World’s Home of Sliced Bread served as the starting point for Stage 6 of the 2009 Tour of Missouri. Teams from all over the world participated in the event which began in St. Louis on Labor Day and concluded in Kansas City on Sunday. The teams covered 612 miles with stops and starts in towns throughout the state: St. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, Farmington, Rolla, St. James, Jefferson City, Sedalia and St. Joseph. With months of planning now behind, race day arrived with everything in position. Events had started Friday night downtown with food, music, children’s games and bicycle races for young children. By Saturday, the excitement had multiplied. Volunteers were in place to help wherever needed and crowds started arriving around 10 a.m. While waiting for the professional cycling teams to arrive, the crowds strolled through the courthouse plaza area. A health and wellness expo was on the west side of the courthouse.

The influx of Tour of Missouri enthusiasts as well as Chautauqua-goers over the weekend produced extra business for some downtown merchants and generally very little problems in the way of emergencies, according to a C-T check this (Monday) morning. According to Tony Geib, who co-owns Washington Street Food & Drink Co., the restaurant experienced a noticeable upswing in business after the racers left town. “We were 20 percent busier than last year,” Geib said. He added that several people associated with the tour ate lunch there after the racers left town. Peggy Noel, who co-owns Friends’ in downtown Chillicothe, said the weekend turned out to be a profitable one, too. She noted that when she learned the Tour of Missouri would be in town during the same weekend of Chautauqua, she became concerned that the weekend would not be as successful as it normally is when the Chautauqua in the Park is held.



But, she said, business was brisk on Saturday after the racers left town.



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Congratulations to Danyll Robinson at the Chillicothe Alternative School Picnic, who won a brand new bike thanks to the Chilli Tour of Missouri LOC!

Congratulations, Hunter Ballard who won a brand new bike at the July 10th Mudcats game! The bike was sponsored by MidWest Gloves and Gear. A helmet was also given to Hunter compliments of our local Missouri Farm Bureau.

Happy Birthday to Jim Summerville! Granddaughter, Darby Summerville wins a brand new bike thanks to the Chillicothe Tour of Missouri while watching an exciting Mudcats Game!

The Tour of Missouri’s actual presence in Chillicothe lasted only a few hours, but planning for the event began nearly a year ago as a large team of volunteers, combined with a strategic plan and a tremendous about of enthusiasm helped get Chillicothe noticed.



Officials announced Sunday that Chillicothe received the Tour of Missouri 2009 Spirit Award.



“This recognizes Chillicothe as a community with outstanding spirit throughout the entire process of the Tour of Missouri,” said Amy Supple, director of the Chillicothe Visitors Region, who worked hard to bring the Tour of Missouri to Chillicothe.



The community was critiqued on the structure of its Local Organizing Committee as well as the events leading up to the tour, Supple said. An application was submitted highlighting the various events held in promotion of cycling and the tour........

The Reynolds Family won a brand new bike thanks to the Chillicothe Tour of Missouri while watching an exciting Mudcats Game! Happy Birthday Carla!

Congratulations Jaydin Kohl!! Winner of a brand new bike in the 1-3 year old age group at the Chillicothe YMCA Easter Egg Hunt held on April 4th, 2009 at Simpson Park.

Congratulations to Jenny Harkins!! Winner of a brand new bike in the 6-7 year old age group at the Chillicothe YMCA Easter Egg Hunt held on April 4th, 2009 at Simpson Park.

Drew Snyder, son of Rachel and Alan Snyder of Chillicothe won the bike at the Food, Fun & Fitness Festival sponsored by the Livingston County Obesity Prevention Project on May 5 at the Jenkins Expo Center.

Drew Snyder, son of Rachel and Alan Snyder of Chillicothe won the bike at the Food, Fun & Fitness Festival sponsored by the Livingston County Obesity Prevention Project on May 5 at the Jenkins Expo Center.

Drew Snyder, son of Rachel and Alan Snyder of Chillicothe won the bike at the Food, Fun & Fitness Festival sponsored by the Livingston County Obesity Prevention Project on May 5 at the Jenkins Expo Center.

Drew Snyder, son of Rachel and Alan Snyder of Chillicothe won the bike at the Food, Fun & Fitness Festival sponsored by the Livingston County Obesity Prevention Project on May 5 at the Jenkins Expo Center.

Linda Maupin, an attendee at the Hedrick Medical Center Health Fair at the Chillicothe High School, wins a new bike!