Guide to Shorewood’s 2026 Tour of America’s Dairyland

Tour of America’s Dairyland in Shorewood

Save the Date for the 22nd Annual Shorewood Criterium Classic, hosted by the Shorewood Business Improvement District, on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

With the plan of Oakland Avenue to be under construction, the race has shifted the route to just slightly to the West. A new, temporary route for this fun one-day event showcases riders from near and far!

​The Tour of America's Dairyland (ToAD), the nation's largest competitive road cycling series, is set to return June 18-28, 2026. This race series offers an exhilarating experience for families, combining high-speed racing with community festivities.​

It’s also one of the many totally FREE North Shore events to enjoy over the summer.

2026 Race Schedule

10:45 – 11:05am – Junior Girls and Boys 9-12 Series Finale
11:15 – 11:45am – Junior Girls and Boys 13-14 Series Finale
11:55 – 12:30pm – Women Cat 4/Novice Series Finale & Junior Girls 15-18 Cat 4/N Series Finale
12:40 – 1:20pm – Men Cat 3/4 & Junior Boys 15-18 Cat 3/4 Series Finale
1:30 – 2:20pm – JR Boys 15-18 Cat 1 /2/3 ACC/Series Finale
2:30 – 3:20pm – Women Cat 2/3 & JR Girls 15-18 Cat 2/3 ACC/Series Finale
3:30 – 4:20pm – Masters 50+/60 & Cat 1/2/3 Series Finale
4:30 – 5:45pm – Women Pro/1/2
6:00 – 7:00pm – Kid Races* & Dairyland Mile**
7:00 – 8:15pm – Men Pro/1/2

Kids Races

The popular Kids Races return during Community Hour. New this year, families are encouraged to register kids ahead of time. After registering, bring your confirmation email to the North Shore Bank registration table no later than 5:30 p.m. to pick up a race bib and decorate your bike. Sign-ups will also be available on race day.

Kids race details:

• Bike decorating and face painting will be available from 2:00–6:00 p.m.

• Age groups are 3–4, 5–6, 7–8 and 9–12

• All kids must wear a helmet

• A waiver must be signed before racing

• Scooters are not allowed for safety reasons

• Culver’s will hand out free frozen custard after the kids races

This is one of the best parts of the day for younger kids, especially those who want to feel like they are part of the race-day action.

Dairyland Mile Running Race

Back again is the Dairyland Mile Series, with a 1-mile running road race organized by Infinity Running! This race is short and fast. Come on out to Shorewood (and Downer Avenue) during the Tour Of Americas Dairyland. Register here.

Shorewood hosts a kids’ race at the Tour of America’s Dairyland

The Race Route

This year’s route has shifted, but the energy will still be right in the heart of Shorewood.

The .91-mile course runs in a rectangle, with the start/finish line just north of Lake Bluff Boulevard and Morris Boulevard. Cyclists will travel along:

• Bartlett Avenue

• Glendale Avenue

• Morris Boulevard

• Lake Bluff Boulevard

For spectators, the best viewing spots are often near the start/finish line, along the corners, and near the food and drink areas where you can settle in and watch multiple laps.

Race Schedule

The Shorewood Criterium runs nearly all day, beginning with junior races and building toward the pro races in the evening.

10:45–11:05 a.m. – Junior Girls & Boys 9–12 Series Finale
11:15–11:45 a.m. – Junior Girls & Boys 13–14 Series Finale
11:55 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Women Cat 4/Novice & Junior Girls 15–18 Series Finale
12:40–1:20 p.m. – Men Cat 3/4 & Junior Boys 15–18 Series Finale
1:30–2:20 p.m. – Junior Boys 15–18 Cat 1/2/3 Finale
2:30–3:20 p.m. – Women Cat 2/3 & Junior Girls 15–18 Finale
3:30–4:20 p.m. – Masters 50+/60+ & Cat 1/2/3 Finale
4:30–5:45 p.m. – Women Pro/1/2
6:00–7:00 p.m. – Kids Races & Dairyland Mile
7:00–8:15 p.m. – Men Pro/1/2

For families, the sweet spot is late afternoon into evening: grab dinner from the food court, let kids enjoy the activities, watch the kids races, then stay for the pro races.

Food, Drinks & Family Fun

The Shorewood Criterium is known as much for the community atmosphere as the racing. A dedicated food court will be set up just west of Lake Bluff School near the baseball diamonds, with a wide mix of local food and treat vendors.

2026 Food Vendors

• Cocina Filipina

• Ventura’s Tacos

• Fatty Patty

• H&M Concessions

• Emmanuel’s Mix

• Forage Kitchen

• Cotton Mouth Cotton Candy

• Flour Girl & Flame

• Tots on the Street

• Bento MKE

In addition, Draft & Vessel, Scout Wine Merchants and Three Lions Pub will have stations located on Morris and Lake Bluff, with seating available to watch the races.

Community Hour: Kids Races

The popular Kids Races return this year during Community Hour. Advance registration is recommended.

Important details:

• Race bibs should be picked up by 5:30 p.m. at the North Shore Bank registration table.

• Bike decorating and face painting will be available from 2:00–6:00 p.m.

• Age groups include 3–4, 5–6, 7–8 and 9–12.

• Helmets are required for all participants.

• Scooters are not allowed for safety reasons.

• Culver’s will provide free frozen custard after the kids races.

This is one of the best parts of the day for families, especially younger kids who want to be part of the action.

Community Hour: Dairyland Mile

The Dairyland Mile also takes place during the evening Community Hour. This one-mile road race puts runners right in the middle of the Shorewood Criterium atmosphere, with the energy of Tour of America’s Dairyland surrounding the course.

It’s a fun option for kids, adults, casual runners and anyone who wants to be part of race day in a different way. Advance registration is available.

Road Closures & Parking

Plan ahead if you live nearby or are driving into Shorewood for the event.

Streets along the race route will begin closing at 7:30 a.m. and will remain closed until approximately 11 p.m. for cleanup.

There will be no parking on:

• 4300 block of Newhall Street

• 4300–4500 blocks of Bartlett Avenue

• 4300–4500 blocks of Morris Boulevard

• 1400–1700 blocks of Glendale Avenue

• 1400–1700 blocks of Lake Bluff Boulevard

• 1400–1700 blocks of Kensington Boulevard

Residents inside and outside the race course should park outside the permit area if they will need vehicle access during the day.

For residents inside the race route, vehicle crossings will only be allowed at Larkin & Glendale between races. This will be the only crossing point and will be managed by Shorewood Police.

Spectator Tips

Bring camp chairs or a picnic blanket if you plan to stay for a while. The evening races are especially fun, but the day can be long with kids.

Arrive early if you want easy parking, and consider walking or biking if you live nearby. With road closures in place most of the day, getting around by car will be limited.

The corners are exciting places to watch, but families with younger kids may prefer a spot with more space near the food court or beverage stations.

Bring helmets if your kids are participating in the kids races. No helmet means no race.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers help keep the day running safely by guiding pedestrian traffic at crosswalks. Volunteers will receive an event T-shirt and a free drink ticket.

This is a great way for Shorewood residents, parents, teens and local cycling fans to be part of one of the village’s biggest summer events.

Make It a Shorewood Weekend

The Shorewood Criterium is a great excuse to spend more time in the village before or after race day. Here are a few local stops to consider:

Cloud Red
4488 N. Oakland Ave.
cloudredmke.com

Draft & Vessel
4417 N. Oakland Ave.
draftandvessel.com

BlackBear Children’s Boutique
4312 N. Oakland Ave.
blackbearboutique.com

Benji’s Deli
4156 N. Oakland Ave.
benjisdeliandrestaurant.com

Foxhole Craft Beer & Kitchen
4144 N. Oakland Ave.
foxholeshorewood.com

Nino’s Southern Sides
4475 N. Oakland Ave.
ninos-southernsides.com

Final Thoughts

The Shorewood Criterium Classic is one of those summer events that captures what makes the North Shore special: neighbors outside together, kids on bikes, local food, busy sidewalks, and elite athletes racing just feet away.

Whether you come for the pro cycling, the kids races, the food court or the neighborhood block party atmosphere, the 2026 Shorewood Criterium is a can’t-miss summer tradition.

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