You worked for years, sometimes decades, to bring professionally designed trails to your community. Now the big day has arrived: it’s time to open them to the public and welcome mountain bikers and other trail users.

Celebrate this milestone with an opening ceremony. Make it grand.

Trail opening events are powerful moments. They engage members, volunteers, and the wider community while showcasing the dedication that brought new trails to life. They also give you the chance to connect with partners, leaders, and potential supporters who will carry your mission forward.

Here’s how to plan a celebration that shines.

Pre-Event Planning

Start several months ahead. Build a timeline with action steps, assign responsibilities, and set deadlines. Reach out to partner organizations early. Define your goals, then create a marketing plan to spread the word through multiple channels.

Plan activities beyond ribbon-cutting. Add experiences that will stick with people and encourage them to return to the trails.

Define Goals and Audience

What do you want to achieve? Options include attracting new volunteers, fundraising, building community support, or gaining media coverage. Decide what activities fit your goals: ribbon cutting, speeches, group rides, family activities, food, or music. Map out the who, what, when, and where.

Pick the Right Date and Time

Choose a season with reliable weather and avoid competing events. Weekends or after-work hours usually work best. Consider hosting a smaller “soft opening” with key partners before the main celebration.

Leverage Partnerships

Work with local businesses, conservation groups, chambers of commerce, IMBA, and land managers. Ask for help with promotion, volunteers, and even giveaways.

Budget and Logistics

Plan for costs like food, decorations, permits, and photography. Balance expenses with fundraising goals. Safety should come first: coordinate volunteers, trail signage, and medical support if needed. Run through logistics beforehand to prevent surprises.

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Event Promotion

Social Media

Create a Facebook event page. Share teasers, behind-the-scenes posts, and countdowns. Use hashtags and encourage attendees to do the same. Partner with local influencers or leaders to amplify your reach.

Community Businesses

Take flyers to shops, restaurants, and breweries. This sparks conversations about the economic impact of new trails while boosting visibility.

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Press and Traditional Outreach

Send a press release to local media outlets and include details for photo opportunities. Post flyers at libraries, bike shops, and community centers. Use both email and bulletin boards to reach different audiences.

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Event Day Activities

Ribbon Cutting

Hold a ribbon-cutting at the trailhead. It’s a familiar way to mark the occasion and makes for great photos. Invite local leaders and partners to participate.

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Speech! Speech!

Keep speeches short—five minutes or less. Ask leaders, board members, and volunteers to share their excitement and commitment.

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Community Activities

Offer group rides or hikes led by volunteers and staff. Organize a scavenger hunt or photo contest. Add live music or local performers for a festive feel.

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Food and Fun

Bring in food trucks or vendors. Offer snacks for free or as fundraisers. Give attendees branded swag, run a raffle, or sell merchandise to raise money and boost visibility.

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Post-Event Follow-Up

Share photos and videos on social media. Post a recap on your website and tag partners. Send thank-you notes to volunteers and sponsors. Finally, keep the momentum going by inviting attendees to future events and volunteer opportunities.

Case Study: Silverton Singletrack Society’s Baker’s Park Grand Opening

In August 2025, Silverton Singletrack Society (SSS) celebrated the opening of six miles of new trail at Baker’s Park. Their planning offers a great model.

At the trailhead, SSS gathered community members, leaders, youth riders, funders, and land managers for a group photo with a “We Did It!” sign. Afterward, volunteers led hikes and rides on the new trails, stopping at “Lisa’s Lookout” for sweeping views of the San Juan Mountains. A professional photographer captured the event, and SSS later shared photos with partners for their own storytelling.
 

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That evening, the celebration continued downtown at a community green space. There were food trucks, live music, and a tent selling SSS swag. A large map displayed the full 30-mile trail concept plan, sparking excitement about future phases.

Speeches ran 20 minutes total, with each partner limited to five minutes. Speakers included the SSS president, the mayor, county commissioners, land managers, and statewide recreation leaders. Afterward, the band played, the food truck served snacks, and community members mingled and celebrated.

To cap it off, SSS fundraiser Lisa Branner wrote a story for the local paper, sharing the success and thanking partners. The event not only marked a trail opening but also built momentum for the next stage of Silverton’s trail system.

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