Longsjo events schedule throughout area

Race volunteers for the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic have added a host of events for spectators which coincide with the four days of cycling racing that get underway Thursday, June 28, in North Central Massachusetts.

A special opening ceremony and pasta buffet has been added. The Best Western Royal Plaza in Fitchburg, the official race headquarters, will host an All You Can Eat Pasta Buffet from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, in conjunction with the Opening Ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $12.95 in advance or $15 at the door. The ceremony is free and includes a special exhibit of Art Longsjo's prestigious cycling career, organized by the Fitchburg Historical Society.

Fitchburg State College is hosting a barbeque on Friday, June 29 during the Circuit Race, which is a 3.1-mile loop past the college on Pearl Street. The hot dogs and hamburgers will be served by Chartwell, which will set up at the intersection of Pearl Street and Highland Ave.

The First Congregational Church in Princeton Center is hosting a Food Fest on Saturday, June 30, that includes breakfast, a barbeque and all-you-can eat pasta dinner that is coordinated with the Wachusett Mountain Road Race, a grueling course that includes a 104 mile pro men's race.

The Wachusett Ski Area is opening up its ski area for the Saturday race. It includes a barbeque, music and the SkyRide, which will provide rides on the ski lift to the top of the mountain to see the finish of the race. Anyone who donates an old bike on Saturday, which will benefit the Boys and Girls Club and Worcester Earn-A-Bike, will receive a free SkyRide to the summit.

- Submitted to The Journal.