Tour de Fat is returning to Palmer Square in July

Last year's Tour de Fat was almost canceled after torrential downpours the night before the event (the same ones that shut down Taste of Chicago) soaked Palmer Square, but hundreds of attendees still turned out to party amid soggy conditions. Today we learned that the annual traveling festival sponsored by Colorado-based New Belgium Brewery will be returning to Palmer Square Park on July 11, bringing its usual assortment of crazy bikes, offbeat entertainment and plenty of cold beer. The best part of this giant celebration of biking culture? All of the proceeds benefit a local, environmentally-friendly non-profit or charity. Time to start planning your costume and crossing your fingers that the rain clouds stay far away this year.