CUMBERLAND - It doesn't matter if it has two, three or four wheels - if you can pedal it, you can join.

And if you don't want to pedal, you're more than welcome to come watch the area's first Dandy Bicycle Parade this summer.

Doug Hutchins, one of the event organizers, updated Cumberland officials during Tuesday's meeting at City Hall and told them what most elected bodies yearn to hear.

"We don't need any money from anybody," he said.

Hutchins, who has Cumberland Trail Connection at The Shops at Canal Place, and Gail Hall of The Inn on Decatur & Mountainside Bike Tours, are working to bring the event downtown the weekend of July 19-20. Hutchins has covered his bases, having spoken to the Cumberland Police Department about the proposed routes.

He also has looked into insurance and believes both days will be covered. The Dandy Bike Parade would fall under the Main Street Maryland program and the July 20 Youth Race has been picked up by the Western Maryland Wheelmen with both organizations stating their insurance would cover any liability.

Councilman Butch Hendershot, however, said he'd feel more comfortable if the city "had a finite, clear" understanding of what the event will entail and that insurance is in hand to "cover everything."

City Solicitor Michael Scott Cohen suggested that a list of what's to occur be generated with both the Main Street Maryland and Wheelmen groups submitting letters from their insurers stating the items covered.

Hutchins also has worked with the Allegany Arts Council, which will bring its Arts Bus to Canal Place on July 19 at 9 a.m. to help with registration. Volunteers also will be there to help decorate bikes.

Plans call for a Little Tykes parade at 10:30 a.m., where children 5 years old and younger with tricycles and training wheels can show off their bikes at Canal Place. The main event gets started about 11 a.m. with the parade starting at Canal Place.

Hutchins expects everyone back at Canal Place by noon with several lawn events, including a bike toss and safety presentation, to take place then. Trophies also will be awarded in categories such as Most Reflectors and Craziest Costume.

On July 20, a youth race is planned, with a time to be announced. The race will be within the city's Town Centre and will involve three or four loops.

"The response from the community has been overwhelming," Hutchins, who wants to make it an annual event, said.

For more information, call (301) 777-TRAIL or visit www.dandybicycleparade.com.

Also during the meeting, Mayor Lee Fiedler thanked Councilman Pete Elliott for his service during World War II. Elliott was in the first wave of troops to land at Okinawa on April 1, 1945, Easter Sunday 63 years ago yesterday.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.