Opening Ceremony
Friday, August 1, 2025
Opening Ceremony is a can't-miss celebration featuring live entertainment, impactful storytelling, delicious food, and brand new Pelotonia merch.
Opening Ceremony 2025 will take place on Friday, August 1, on the grounds of McFerson Commons and North Bank Park in the Arena District of downtown Columbus.
Details for Opening Ceremony 2024 are featured below. Information about Opening Ceremony 2025 will be added when available!
Tickets
All registered Ride Weekend and Gravel Day Riders receive two tickets to Opening Ceremony.
Challengers and Volunteers who have raised $1,250 by the Opening Ceremony date also receive two tickets.
Any additional tickets can also be purchased onsite at the entrance gate.
Take a look at the Opening Ceremony map!
See mapSchedule of Events
11:30 am - 8:00 pm
- Rider Check-in
- Rider Gift Distribution
- First Aid Services
- Bike Storage and Maintenance
- Bag Drop-Off
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Dinner Buffet
- Expo
- Beverages
6:30 pm
- Opening Ceremony Program
Headliner Act: Clubhouse
- Ohio-born, feel-good indie pop band, Clubhouse, will headline Opening Ceremony on August 2!
- Band members include Max Reichert on lead vocals plus twin brothers, Ari and Zak Blumer, on guitar and drums, who have been playing together since middle school in central Ohio.
- In 2019, Max was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, and has since battled multiple recurrences. He recently had surgery and is currently undergoing treatment, including care at the OSUCCC-James.
- Originally from Pataskala, the band performed at the Kenyon finish line celebration for Ride Weekend 2017, and is excited to return to Pelotonia on a bigger stage and with an incredibly personal connection to our mission of Ending Cancer.
Headliner Act: Clubhouse
Opening Ceremony Parking
Garages & Driving Directions
Due to several events happening in the Arena District on Friday night, all participants and guests should park in the Marconi or Front Street Garages accessible from the east.
You can easily access these parking areas by traveling south on 3rd Street or north on 4th Street, turning west on Spring Street, then north on Front Street.
Parking Passes
Free parking will be available for Riders, Volunteers, and guests in the designated Arena District parking garages. Each Rider and Volunteer should download the parking pass below in the week leading up to Ride Weekend.
Please note: Most parking garage entrances do not have the vertical clearance to accommodate bicycles mounted on roof racks, so please plan accordingly.
Check out the Ride Weekend Event Handbook for more details about Opening Ceremony!
Download the 2024 Gravel Day Handbook450 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH | 614.221.6100
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