Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/781998
T he city nestled off High- way 17 has a number of traditions that have blossomed throughout the decades, creating a vibrancy and identity unlike any other city in Santa Cruz County. In Scotts Valley is an intersection of adven- ture, leisure and family that come together to create a vibrancy. One of the most energetic events is the Mountain Charlie Chal- lenge, an annual bicycle event that draws riders from across Northern California and even neighboring states. Started as a grassroots events to raise money for the Scotts Valley School District, the first year featured 10 lonely riders making their way from Scotts Valley to Carmel. But it was a hit and found backing with the Scotts Valley Edu- cational Foundation, the nonprofit focused on raising money for the district. "Their energy kind of transformed into a wider energy for the district," said Derek Timm, president of the foundation and a cyclist himself. "So the educational foundation started growing the event. Then it became more than just an event about fundraising. It became a pretty well- known biking event in the cycling commu- nity." On the 15th anniver- sary ride this year, the event is moving to the fall with plans to recre- ate a similar path to the first ride. Timm describes the city as the ideal distance from a pleth- ora of outdoor activity. Within a minute of the city are scenic roads through redwood trees and hikes. The energy is also apparent in the city's Fourth of July celebra- tion, which dates back for decades. Each year, illegal fireworks are lit across the county, leaving a trail of dis- carded boxes and fuses on beaches and back alleys. While fireworks are illegal in Scotts Valley, the city also features the only sanc- tioned fireworks show in the county. But that event has also been a huge draw for the city. Another tradition is the annual Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival. Origi- nally without the beer, the festival was re- engineered last year to appeal to a wider audience. Specifically, beer lovers and people looking to bring their families. While the tra- ditional demographics have held up for more than a decade, organiz- ers say lower numbers in recent years prompt- ed the revamping. "Our event, we want- ed it to be community oriented so the whole family would come and there would be some- thing for everybody," said Danny Reber, ex- ecutive director for the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the event. "We added the beer part which seemed to make the dads happy." That push showed in 2016 when the two- day event brought an estimated 10,000 people to the city, with roughly 40 percent coming from outside of the county, Reber said. During the push to pro- mote the event, Reber remembers fielding calls from people out of the county asking for directions to the city because of the interest in coming. While the event brings the crowds to the town, it doesn't af- fect the how it gets done. It's not unusual to see city council members volunteering at events. "All the events and things we do as a cham- ber, all of it is done with volunteers," he said. "Without the com- munity participation, we wouldn't' be able to do all these things." Now in its 18th year, the festival also features an array of activities for children and teamed up with the police depart- ment to put on a car show. For residents of Scotts Valley and visi- tors from neighboring cities, the event is a reminder of what the city has be- come. "You'll hear the phrase that we have our own slice of Mayberry here in Scotts Valley," Reber said, referring to the amicable town on "The Andy Griffith Show." "Even talking about the location, we're near the Boardwalk, the beach and the high-tech Sili- con Valley." Mountain Charlie Challenge in 2016 Wine drinkers sip from the glasses under the afternoon sun at Skypark in Scotts Valley during the Art, Wine and Beer Festival. photo KEVIN JohNSoN – SaNta Cruz SENtINEl Accompanied by a few experienced cyclists, kids take off on their bikes as a part of the Mountain Charlie Challenge in 2016. The event has a host of distances for riders of all experience levels. A group of cyclists congregate under a banner for the Mountain Charlie Challenge in 2016 Wine drinkers sip from the glasses under the afternoon sun at Skypark in By Calvin Men Cycling Event Supporting Local Education Now in its 15th year Without the community participation, we wouldn't be able to do all these things. – Danny Reber