A Trike Race Where Every Moment Makes an Impact

Gear up for the second year of one of Greater Waterbury’s most joyful community traditions – Trike Race 2026! Back for its sophomore year, this adult trike race builds on the excitement of 2025 with a bold new theme: Moments in Time.
Businesses, community groups, families, and friends are invited to race, cheer, and celebrate while creating unforgettable moments inspired by past decades and eras. From costumes and trike décor to music and movement, this is a race that brings time to life.
All proceeds benefit the United Way of Greater Waterbury Community Care Fund, advancing equity and measurable outcomes across our three focus areas: Education, Financial Stability, and Basic Needs. Every ride helps keep our community moving forward.

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Event Details

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 16, 2026, and join us at Library Park in Waterbury for a high-energy day filled with trike racing, live entertainment, local food vendors, and community celebration.

Rain Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026

EVENT FAQs

25-UWGW-trike-map.svg Click to enlarge map.

Location

Buckingham Garage | Waterbury Parking Authority
210 Bank St, Waterbury, CT 06702

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*Buckingham Garage has 1,400 spots. Weekend parking is FREE all day. A parking attendant is on site from 9:45 AM to 7:45 PM daily.

Schedule

Trike Race 2026 | Race Day Schedule

  • 9:30–9:55 AM: Participant Check-In • Food Vendors Open • Music & Pre-Race Atmosphere
  • 10:00–10:15 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks • Parade of Trikes
  • 10:20–10:30 AM: Knockout Round, Race 1
  • 10:35–10:45 AM: Knockout Round, Race 2
  • 10:50–11:00 AM: Knockout Round, Race 3
  • 11:05–11:15 AM: Knockout Round, Race 4
  • 11:20–11:30 AM: Intermission • Course Reset • Announcements • Sponsor Shoutouts
  • 11:35–11:45 AM: Semifinal Round, Race 1
  • 11:50 AM–12:00 PM: Semifinal Round, Race 2
  • 12:05–12:15 PM: Intermission • Course Reset • Judging Check-In • Awards Staging
  • 12:20–12:30 PM: Championship Race
  • 12:35–12:55 PM: Awards Ceremony (Best Costume, Best Decorated Trike, Crowd Favorite)
  • 1:00 PM: After Party • Grand Street Tavern

*PLEASE NOTE: Grand Street will be closed to traffic from 8:00AM - 1:00PM on the day of the event.

Directions to Event

From New Haven & Fairfield Counties

  • Take Exit 31 to merge onto I-84 E towards Hartford for 0.5 miles
  • Take Exit 22 toward Baldwin St/Downtown/Waterbury for 0.2 miles
  • Take S Main St and Grand St to Bank St for 0.3 miles
  • Merge onto Market Square
  • In 226 ft, turn left on S Main St for 0.1 mile
  • Turn left into Grand St for 0.1 mile
  • Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Bank St; your destination will be on the right

From Hartford

  • Take I-84 West towards Waterbury
  • Take Exit 21 for Meadow St toward Bank St
  • Turn right onto Field St for 0.1 mile
  • Turn right onto Grant St for 0.1 mile
  • Turn right onto Bank St
  • In 230 ft, your destination will be on the right

Costume & Trike Decoration Challenge

Choose a decade. Create the moment. Make an impact.
The 2026 UWGW Trike Race celebrates the rich history, resilience, and evolution of Greater Waterbury – and the moments in time that have shaped our community over the decades. From roaring celebrations to times of reinvention, this year’s race invites teams to bring those eras to life through bold costumes and creative trike designs.
Teams are encouraged to fully embrace the “Moments in Time” theme by selecting a decade — from the 1920s through today — and transforming it into a moving tribute to style, culture, and community spirit.
This year, creativity takes center stage with dedicated awards and prizes recognizing standout costumes, trike decorations, and overall theme execution.
Hurry – teams are encouraged to register early and claim their decade before the rest of the competition!

Suggested Era Categories

  • 1920s – Roaring Twenties
    Jazz Age glamour, Art Deco flair, and bold expression
  • 1930s – Vintage Americana
    Resilience, simplicity, and timeless style
  • 1940s – Victory & Unity
    Community spirit, optimism, and togetherness
  • 1950s – Classic Americana
    Post-war pop culture, diners, and sock-hop style
  • 1960s – Peace, Pop & Color
    Expression, change, and cultural revolution
  • 1970s – Disco & Funk
    Groove, freedom, and fearless fashion
  • 1980s – Neon, Arcade & Pop Icons
    High-energy color, big hair, and iconic trends
  • 1990s – Grunge & Throwback Pop
    Alternative attitude and retro vibes
  • 2000s – Y2K & Early Internet
    Digital beginnings and turn-of-the-millennium style
  • 2010s – Social & Streaming Era
    Sharing the moment and culture in real time
  • 2020s – Resilience & Reinvention
    Community strength and forward momentum

Judging & Awards
Costumes and trike decorations will be evaluated during the event, with special prizes awarded for creativity, theme alignment, and overall execution.
Bring your decade to life – and help write the next chapter in Greater Waterbury’s story.

 

Register for the 2026 Trike Race

Ready to race through time? Assemble your team, choose your rider, and create a moment that truly matters.
 
Theme & Awards
Teams are encouraged to select a decade or era as inspiration for costumes and trike décor. Whether you lean into the glamour of the 1920s, the neon energy of the 1980s, or something entirely modern, we want to see your creativity on display! Prizes will be awarded for both racing performance and judged categories.
 
Fundraising & Registration
To participate, a minimum fundraising commitment of $1,200 per team is required.

  • Loyalty Discount: Returning teams who use their existing trike receive $200 off their registration fee, bringing the entry total to $1,000.

Every dollar raised supports programs that strengthen education, financial stability, and basic needs across UWGW’s ten-town service area.

Important: Please review all race rules and trike guidelines before completing your registration.

Download Race Rules

DOWNLOAD PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE

Download Participation Waiver

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM


Register A Team

 

Trike Requirements

Each team will race using a Razor DXT Drift Trike, provided by UWGW as part of the team’s registration.
Teams may decorate their trike with creativity and flair, provided the following rules are followed:

  • Trikes may not be motorized
  • Trikes may not be structurally modified
  • Decorations must not pose safety risks to riders, spectators, or property
  • All riders must wear a helmet during the race

Volunteer for Trike Race 2026

Trike Race 2026 wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteers. Whether you’re helping with course setup, cheering on racers, assisting with logistics, or supporting awards and festivities, your time helps create meaningful moments for our entire community.

Become a Volunteer

Sponsorship of Trike Race 2026 offers a powerful opportunity to align your brand with a high-energy community event while directly supporting programs that make a lasting difference across Greater Waterbury.
Sponsors benefit from strong visibility, creative activation opportunities, and meaningful engagement with participants and spectators – all while helping to create moments that matter.

WHEELS - $10,000

As a premier sponsor, you will receive the highest level of visibility and recognition at our event and throughout our year-long efforts.
Note: Your sponsorship provides exclusivity by business line, ensuring no competitors are present at this highest level of sponsorship.

  • Logo on Event T-Shirt: Your company’s logo will be featured prominently on the event t-shirt.
  • Logo on Save the Date & Invitation: Your logo will be included in all event marketing materials.
  • Event Signage: Your branding will be displayed at key areas throughout the event.  Large sign with only your company’s logo
  • 20 Social Media Exposures: 20 mentions and shoutouts across our social media channels.
  • Logo in Annual Report: Acknowledgment of your support in our annual report.
  • Radio Interview: An opportunity for a radio interview, giving your company exposure to a broad audience.
  • Speaking Opportunity: A chance for your company’s representative to speak at the event, highlighting your commitment to the community. Your company’s representative will present the “trophy” to the winner
  • Start the final race by lowering the flag
  • eNewsletter Feature: A dedicated feature in our eNewsletter highlighting your sponsorship.
  • Announcement at the Awards Dinner that you are the sponsor
  • VIP Access & Premier Seating: Access to VIP areas and premier seating at the event. (6 tickets)

SPOKES - $5,000

The Spokes sponsorship offers substantial visibility and includes the following benefits:

  • Logo on Event T-Shirt: Your logo will appear on the event t-shirt.
  • Logo on Save the Date & Invitation: Your logo will be included in marketing materials.
  • Event Signage: Your branding will be displayed at the event.  Only your company’s logo will be displayed on a sign
  • 15 Social Media Exposures: 15 mentions across our social media channels.
  • Logo in Annual Report: Acknowledgment of your support in our annual report.
  • Opportunity for your company’s representative to start a race by lowering the flag.
  • eNewsletter Feature: Recognition in our eNewsletter.
  • VIP Access & Premier Seating: Access to VIP areas and premier seating at the event. (4 tickets)

PEDALS - $2,500

This mid-tier sponsorship provides excellent exposure with a range of benefits:

  • Logo on Event T-Shirt:  Your logo will appear on the event t-shirt
  • Name on Save the Date & Invitation: Your company’s name will be featured on the event invitation.
  • Event Signage: Your name will be included in event signage. Your company’s logo will be included on a sign with other sponsors at this level
  • Recognition in Annual Report: Acknowledgment of your sponsorship in our annual report.
  • 10 Social Media Exposures:  10 mentions across our social media channels.
  • VIP Access & Premier Seating:  Access to VIP areas and premier seating at the event. (2 tickets) 

HANDLEBARS - $1,000

The Handlebars level offers affordable visibility for your company while supporting a great cause.

  • Name on Event T-Shirt: Your company’s name will appear on the event t-shirt.
  • Name on Save the Date & Invitation: Your company’s name will be featured on the event invitation.
  • Social Media Exposure: Acknowledgment across our social media platforms.
  • Name on Event Signage: Your name will be included in the signage displayed at the event. Your company’s logo will be included on a sign with other sponsors at this level.

Please use the form below to select your desired sponsorship level.

Become a Sponsor

Note: The benefits and recognition listed for each sponsorship tier are subject to change based on the timing of your commitment and overall availability. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official Trike Race 2026 sponsorship package or contact the United Way of Greater Waterbury directly.

Can’t race this year? You can still make an impact. Support your favorite Trike Race 2026 team with a donation that helps strengthen education, financial stability, and basic needs throughout our community.

Support THE Trike Race

Sponsorship Sign Up

*All required forms are marked with an asterisk. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Betty Bozzuto at (203) 757-9855 ext. 112 or [email protected].

Thank you!

United Way of Greater Waterbury Sponsors

Platinum Premier Sponsors

Platinum Plus Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Platinum Media Sponsors

Platinum Marketing Partner

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors