The Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival today opened registration for competitive events and skills clinics. Presented by Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBoSC) and FOX, the 4th annual festival will take place on April 13-14, 2013 (the weekend before the Sea Otter Classic in nearby Monterey) at the Barry Swenson Builder property in Aptos Village, California. The festival, which was created to celebrate the world class mountain bike facilities, riders, and cycling industry of Santa Cruz county, continues to grow year after year with the generous support of its sponsors, volunteers, and community. In just its third year, the 2012 event boasted a 50% increase in attendance and athlete participation over the previous year, attracting over 6,000 spectators, 200 amateur and professional athletes, 200 kids’ rodeo participants, 70 sponsors, and 150 volunteers. The festival’s success testifies to the depth of the mountain bike culture in Santa Cruz county.
 
2013 marks the third year that Santa Cruz county-based suspension products manufacturer FOX has offered title sponsorship support to this grassroots event that raises funds for bike projects throughout Santa Cruz county. FOX's generous support contributes a great deal to the festival's success and demonstrates the importance of local community to this world-wide industry leader. Mark Jordan, FOX Global Communications Manager, affirms “The Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival takes everything that is great about the local mountain bike scene and brings it all together in one place.
 
From families to amateurs and pros, the festival has something for everyone. We are happy to be a part of it.” FOX is joined by event sponsors Clif Bar, Epicenter Cycling, Saris Cycling Group, Scotts Valley Cycle Sport, Specialized, Summer Gravity Camps, and Sweetlines. Platinum level sponsors include Adventure Sports Journal, Barry Swenson Builder, Best Western Plus Seacliff Inn, Bike Magazine, decline magazine, Dirt Rag magazine, Gamut USA, GU Energy, Kali Protectives, Pinkbike.com, Pivot Cycles, Rubena Tires, Shuttle Smith Adventures, Sombrio and Trail Head Cyclery, and Gold level includes Bicycle Trip and VP Components. Primary sponsors Specialized and Pivot Cycles are joined by other leading bike manufacturers Cannondale, Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Trek and Yeti Cycles sponsoring at Bike Demo level. The Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival appreciates the support of these industry and community businesses. Sponsorships are still available for most levels.