For cycling fans, it’s like getting to see a NASCAR race in your own backyard, James Lowe says, with the added excitement of rock ’n’ roll.

And locals will get a chance to witness nearly 50 racers on Saturday night zipping around sharp turns during the Bikes, Bands and Healthy Bodies event on the downtown Gainesville square course.

“You have racers going around the square at speeds in excess of 30 mph or 40 mph. What you are going to see is a lot of fun racing,” said James Lowe, director of the Georgia Cup, which is sponsoring the event. “It’s kind of like NASCAR on two wheels ... and there’s an announcer there; there’s going to be bands there that night.

“The band part is going to be key ... booze will be flowing in downtown Gainesville, which has never happened before.”

For families and music fans, bands will rock the square all afternoon and evening. Kicking off the music will be the Red Dirt Band, a local country band, followed by The Surge, Shades of Gray and Juke Box Heroes. Headlining the evening of performances is the local rockabilly band King Daddy Polecats.

“We’re trying to make it into a true festival ... things for kids, adults and things going on throughout the day and evening,” said Joe Burnett, executive director of Main Street Gainesville, which is co-sponsoring the event. “We had stated as a goal to try and create a new musical event so this is our attempt at that.”

The Bikes, Bands and Healthy Bodies event is part of the Georgia Cup series. Races begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and include a Pro/Am event and the Downtown Gainesville Gran Prix and Criterium. Then on Sunday, a 70-mile road
race event will start at Tadmore Elementary.

“The bike race is pretty big, seeing as though the Georgia Cup is the nation’s largest Pro/Am cycling series in the country,” Lowe said.

Scott’s on the Square will be selling food and have a beer garden near the band stage. Scott Dixon, owner of the eatery, said he will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs and light entrees. Other businesses plan extended shopping hours and outdoor seating so patrons can watch the event.

The Pro/Am race is a 0.9-mile track that totals 60 miles around the square. The race willl last about an hour, Lowe said.

“They like that four-turn, high-speed turns,” he said. “We will race rain or shine.”

Lowe said if you attend the race, keep an eye out for certain teams.

“The big one is United Healthcare, and the team leader for that is Eric Murphy. He is one of the biggest, most recognizable names in the Southeast as far as racers go,” he said. “You’ve got other people like Pacesetters Steel Service and ... other elite teams like Aaron’s Furniture.”

Expect the sidewalks to be standing-room only, he added.

“I’d come out for the festivities. There’s lots of stuff for the kids to do; there is racing going on the entire time. For the main event, come out at 8 p.m.”

For kids there will be a Kids Fun Zone that opens at 3 p.m. It will feature inflatables, a train ride, balloon art, magic and face painting, among other activities.