In celebration of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, Muckmedden Events, the fun-loving mountain bike event organisers from Perth & Kinross, have scheduled a number of exciting opportunities to get local young people between eight and 26 involved at Cream o’ the Croft Mountain Bike Festival (Crieff, Perthshire – 15 – 17 June) and The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival (Newburgh, Fife – 31 August- 02 September).

 

The organising teams at both events are looking to recruit budding designers, engineers, musicians, singers, DJ’s and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents at both family-friendly festivals that include live music, gourmet food and drink and loads of activities and entertainment for all ages on and off the bike.

 

With the inaugural Monster Balance Bike Challenge teams from local community groups are being invited to design, build and race crazy balance bikes made from recycled materials at both festivals. To boost the appeal of their event villages Muckmedden are also looking for young entrepreneurs who have made, designed or invented a new and exciting product or service (not food or drink) and who are eager to test the market with a free retail pitch, selling alongside more established independent professional traders. Young singers, musicians, bands, DJ’s and other performers are also being invited to fill various slots on the live stage at The Eliminator at the end of August, showcasing their talents to more than 1500 people over the event weekend.

 

Roger and Rachel Howison from Parkhill Farm, the venue for The Eliminator, said: “This summer, in celebration of the Year of Young People, we’re giving our fields at Parkhill Farm over to the kids, passing them the mics, the wrenches and the trade stalls and we can’t wait to see what hard work, talent and a little youthful energy can create!”

 

Andrew Donaldson of Comrie Croft, the award winning venue for Cream 0′ the Croft, said: “We’re totally chuffed that as part of the Year of Young People 2018 we are able to offer young people the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the festival, showcasing their skills and talents to all of our visitors. At Cream o’ the Croft they are involved in everything from organising and promoting new additions to the festival to live performance, sales and marketing of their own new products and designing, building and racing crazy balance bikes.”

 

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Cream o’ the Croft and The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival through our National Events Programme. It is fantastic to see both events fully embracing the Year of Young People 2018 by offering young people such a broad range of activities and opportunities to get involved in. Their creative talents and ideas will no doubt make a valuable contribution to both festivals’ programmes and help showcase Scotland as the perfect stage for events.”

 

The Monster Balance Bike Challenge competition that will be staged at both summer festivals; a collaboration between Muckmedden Events, Bike Station (Perth), Angus Cycle Hub, Recyke-A-Bike and Coupar Angus Cycling Hub, gives young members of local community groups the chance to design and build a Monster Balance Bike under the expert guidance of their local bike recycling centres. They will then compete against other teams of all ages at Cream o’ the Croft Mountain Bike Festival in Perthshire in June and The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival, being staged in Fife later in the year. To level the playing field, the challenge is not just about getting a fast race time. Teams will also be scored on their ingenuity and imagination before they’ve even turned a wheel. The crazier the design, the better!

 

Both the Cream o’ the Croft Mountain Bike Festival and The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival are looking for talented young entrepreneurs to apply for limited free retail pitches, alongside professional traders, in the event villages in which to sell a new product or service that they have invented, designed and made themselves.

 

Muckmedden Events are also inviting young performers (8-26) from Fife and Kinross to showcase their talents in front of a 1500 strong crowd of all ages with special slots on the live performance stage across the weekend of The Eliminator festival at the end of August. Auditions are invited from performers of any genre and material that will fit in well at a family friendly festival – from spoken word, poetry, comedy and beatbox to opera, classical, west end musical, Celtic, folk, jazz, indie and everything in between.

 

Both festivals, supported this year through EventScotland’s National Events Programme, share key traits that include family-friendly camping and glamping, delicious locally sourced food and drink, mountain bike racing for all ages and abilities, live music and super-fun festival activities and entertainment on and off the bike.

 

See notes to editors for more information on the opportunities open to local young people between eight and 26 at both the Cream o’ the Croft The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festivals; and for application details.

 

For more information about Mountain Bike Festival and to purchase festival passes and race entries go to https://www.muckmedden.co.uk/our-events/cream-o-the-croft/

 

For more information about The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival and to purchase festival passes and race entries go to https://www.muckmedden.co.uk/our-events/the-eliminator/

Ends

 

Media contact:

Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected] | M: +44 (0)7913 951717

 

Please contact Paddy Cuthbert if you would like to arrange to attend either Cream o’ the Croft or The Eliminator for an event feature.

 

Notes to Editors:

Cream o’ the Croft Mountain Bike Festival will be staged at Comrie Croft, Braincroft, by Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland PH7 4JZ – situated between Crieff and Comrie on the A85 – from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 June 2018.

 

The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival will be staged at Parkhill Farm, Cupar Road, Newburgh, Fife, KY14 6HR from Friday 31 August to Sunday 02 September 2018.

 

About Year of Young People 2018

In 2018, Scotland puts its young people in the spotlight, celebrating their talents, contributions and creating new opportunities for them to shine. The Year of Young People 2018 is a year-long programme of events and activities that will give young people in Scotland the opportunity to show the world what they are made of. Both Cream o’ the Croft and The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festivals are part of the YOYP18 Partner Programme and organisers are keen to create new opportunities for young people living in the local communities whilst showcasing their many talents on a national stage. For more information on Year of Young People 2018 and the event programme go to www.visitscotland.com/yoyp2018

• A global first, YoYP 2018 is a part of the Scottish Government’s themed-year programme which focuses on celebrating Scotland’s greatest assets.
• A year-long programme of events and festivals are taking place across the whole of the country for all ages to enjoy, led by EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. More information at www.visitscotland.com/yoyp2018
• Local authorities, schools, youth groups and organisations are running their own YoYP 2018 activity. Search #YOYP2018 on Twitter for the latest news.
• Young people co-designed the Year. A group of young leaders, Communic18, lead on all key decision making. More than 500 Ambassadors based across every local authority are championing activity.
• The Year is delivered in partnership between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland and EventScotland – part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate, Young Scot, Scottish Youth Parliament, Children in Scotland, YouthLink Scotland and Creative Scotland.
• More information can be found at yoyp2018.scot, searching @YOYP2018 #YOYP2018 on Twitter or by emailing [email protected]

 

EventScotland

EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.

 

EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland https://www.visitscotland.org or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination https://www.visitscotland.com.

 

 

About The Monster Balance Bike Challenge – 2018

https://www.muckmedden.co.uk/event/monsterbb/

Muckmedden Events, Bike Station (Perth), Angus Cycle Hub, Recyke-A-Bike and Coupar Angus Cycling Hub are recruiting young and upcoming designers, engineers and racers to form a Race Team capable of designing, building and racing a “Monster Balance Bike” to compete at this year’s Cream o’ the Croft and/or The Eliminator Mountain Bike festivals!

 

Teams of three people maximum (1x Mechanic and 2x Racers) should have a mix of engineering skill, resourcefulness and race craft. But most importantly of all………a sense of humour!

 

What is a “Monster Balance Bike”? – A Monster Balance Bike is a two-wheeled bike without pedals, which has been built using only second-hand bike parts. Bikes must be designed and built by each team and then raced at Cream o’ the Croft and The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival.

 

Competition Format

This is a “build and race” competition, so it’s not just about getting a fast race time. Teams will also earn extra points for ingenuity and design before they’ve even turned a wheel. Bikes will be displayed in the paddock at each festival and teams will be scored on the following criteria:

• Accessorising (Max 10 points) – Using additional accessories such as handlebar tassels, horns, wing mirrors, fairings etc. Some accessories may be removed for racing, but you’ll still get the points.
• Weirdness (Max 10 points) – Combining different wheel sizes, using crazy shaped handlebars, big wheels on teeny-weeny bike frames……. the wilder your bike, the more points you’ll rack up for the team!
• Overall Quality of Team (Max 10 points) – You look like a Moto GP Race Team using only second-hand bike parts? You deserve points for that!
• Ingenuity (Max 10 points) – You made your frame from scratch using old scaffolding poles? Here, have some extra points!

After scrutineering on the day of the race, each team will compete in a series of fun-focused “Eliminator” style relay races on a simple, oval track. Points will be allocated according to your team’s final position in each race. The overall points tally of each Team after each race determines which who progresses in the tournament.

• 1st position – 40 points
• 2nd position – 30 points
• 3rd position – 25 points
• 4th position – 20 points

 

Build Rules

All parts used in the build must be second-hand.

The total sum of parts on each bike – including the frame – must be worth no more than £50 (as valued by the Judges).

Bikes must have a minimum of a rear brake (capable of locking up the wheel.)

Bikes must have a seat.

Bikes must not have pedals and must be powered by the rider’s feet on the ground.

Bikes must have two wheels with a combined maximum diameter (i.e. the size of both wheels added together) of no more than 46” in total. Front and rear wheels can be different-sizes.

 

Please note: Bikes will be scrutineered by the Judges on race day. In the instance of any suspected “twisting” of the rules (i.e. someone has removed the pedals from a £7k Carbon Downhill bike and says it cost £40) teams may be asked to swap bikes with another team. We doubt we’ll have to do this, but just to warn you this could happen, so please stick to the rules to keep it fun for everyone!

 

Race Rules

• Riders must stay seated for the duration of the race (or face a points deduction).
• No intentional barging or holding back an opponent.
• Don’t take it too seriously.

 

If you are a local community group looking to get involved please contact Rachel at [email protected]

 

Calling all young entrepreneurs!

Have you made, designed, or invented something? Do you have an idea or a special way to make a product? Want to try and sell it?

Muckmedden Events is inviting Young People aged between 8 and 26 to compete for a Young Entrepreneur’s Stall at either, or both, of its festivals this year: Cream O’ the Croft from Friday 15th June to Saturday 17th June, 2018 at Comrie Croft, Braincroft, Crieff PH7 4JZ and The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival from Friday August 31st to Sunday September 2nd 2018 at Parkhill Farm, Abbey Road, Newburgh, Fife KY14 6HH.

 

Entrants should send us their names, their business name, tell us about their product**, explain how they made their product, and design a poster and sign to advertise their business at the event. The competition is open to all young people from ages 8-26. 10 lucky winners will be given a FREE pitch (a table in a marquee) in our event village to sell their products, alongside the other professional traders.

 

The only rule is that you must make/source your product and sell it yourselves!

This a is great opportunity for young Scottish folk to explore their entrepreneurial talents.

 

*Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult during the festival.

 

**No food or drink, please.

 

Send the above information to Rachel at [email protected]. Cream o’ The Croft applications must be received by Friday 1st June, 2018. Eliminator applications must be received by Wednesday 1st August, 2018.

 

 

Attention all young singers, musicians and bands!

Muckmedden Events Ltd. is inviting Young People aged between 8 and 26 to audition for the chance to perform their music live on the stage at the Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival taking place from Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September, 2018 at Parkhill Farm, Abbey Road, Newburgh, Fife KY14 6HH.

 

We are looking for any musical style that will fit in well at a family friendly mountain bike festival, which is expecting to attract around 1500 people over the weekend. Soloists, duos or trios – preferably acoustic – are encouraged to audition for the opportunity to musically entertain the festival’s visitors, both male and female, who will range in age from babies to the elderly, with the average age of attendee being around 31 years old.

 

We encourage any style of performance from spoken word, poetry, comedy and beatbox to opera, classical, west end musical, Celtic, folk, jazz, indie and everything in between – you do it – we’ll listen, and if we think it’ll fit into our festival schedule, you’ll be offered a gig!

Check out the Muckmedden website to see what the festival is all about…it’s a lot more than mountain biking.

 

There will be a small stage (approx. 3m x 2m) with a sound system located inside our star shade marquees. Depending on the weather you will perform to either a small crowd inside the marquee or to a larger audience outside in the event village.

 

Various performance slots will be available over the course of the weekend starting on the Friday from 3pm and finishing at around 5pm on the Sunday afternoon. We’ll sort out the line-up and timings after the auditions.

 

Send an email with a link to your YouTube/Vimeo (or other online platform) audition clip to Rachel at [email protected], accompanied by a biog about the band including your names, ages, and where you are from.

 

*Please note that children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult during the festival.

 

Audition pack must be received by Wednesday 1st August 2018.