long and has five switchbacks in a 60-ft. climb, averaging a grade of 12.5% in that block. In 1983, the Snake Alley Criterium was born, creating one of the most physically challenging races in the Midwest.​The Snake Alley Criterium is a twenty-block course, with differences in elevation from 555 ft. to 678 ft. The course is entirely on city streets, in downtown, with a one-block-long climb up the historic brick street of Snake Alley. Steve Frevert, Executive Director, Downtown Partners, Inc, has been involved with the Criterium since 2008.

“I believe in the beginning, there were fewer categories of racers; that has increased over time. As the event has grown in renown, we have regularly attracted cyclists from 20+ states and a number of other countries. The Criterium routehas changed several times but always goes up Snake Alley. This year the route was changed again, so as not to cut off Burlington’s new police station, which would have been inside the previous closed course,” Frevert said.

​The world of youth sports tournaments continues to grow and change. Events of all kinds dot the Midwest providing teams from across the world fun, safe experiences and challenging competition. In most cases, it also takes an army of planners, volunteers, and parents to pull together some great community tournaments. For larger events, organizations like Midwest Sports Productions (MSP) take tournament production to another level.​Midwest Sports Productions specializes in youth tournament production and is the world’s largest fastpitch and baseball event company. Their top yearly events include team favorites such as