The Athens Twilight festival celebrates 30 years this weekend — but, it’s not just a pro-bike race speeding down the streets of downtown after the sun goes down Saturday night.

Some of the world’s best cyclists will compete in the 80-kilometer criterium race that will run clockwise around Clayton, Lumpkin, Washington and Thomas Streets. Photo by Daniel Shirey

“It’s a little bit old and it’s a little bit new,” Gene Dixon, founder of Twilight, said. “It’s a festival with something for everyone. This isn’t just a bike race — it’s the spring version of homecoming for UGA alumni that fell in love with Twilight during their time at the University. This is Athens’ Kentucky Derby.”

Twilight kicks off Friday morning and continues through Saturday night with a layering of events that aim to entertain everyone.

The University’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music is hosting their second annual Jazz Festival, which brings a collection of national artists alongside student and local musicians to the Twilight stage on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday, Athens completely surrenders to Twilight mania.

In the morning, Jittery Joe’s hosts the amateur Twilight AM race on the Greenway for riders not quite on the pro level.

The main event ends the festival Saturday night: Men’s and Women’s Pro Criteriums. Some of the best cyclists in the world will risk it all as they race on a one-kilometer course for 80 laps in dimly-lit downtown Athens.

An expected 40,000 spectators will be downtown, watching the race from bars and balconies participating in Twilight.

Threats of inclement weather and a chance of thunderstorms during both days of the festival have some worried, but event coordinators say the show will go on, rain or shine.

“A chance of thunderstorms? Let’s do this,” Micah Morlock, event director for Wake ‘N Bike, said. “You can’t take the fun out of Twilight.”