The first stage of the Tour will start in Clare’s main street on Tuesday, January 19.

Communities throughout the Clare and Gilbert Valleys, from Clare to Tarlee, are planning events to showcase their towns and make the most of the expected influx of visitors.

The Clare Valley Breakaway Festival, from January 16-19, will feature a strawberry fete, winery tours, museum openings and a street party.

The festival will begin on Saturday, January 16, with a strawberry fete followed by a family dance at Tarlee Hall.

The Clare Valley Riesling Trail Committee will promote a picnic day along the Riesling Trail on the Saturday while the Clare Valley Model Engineers will offer twilight train rides on the Saturday and Sunday.

Riverton will open the Scholz Park Museum on each day of the festival, while Cardinham Estate and Taylors Wines will offer winery tours on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The Sunday Funday at Sevenhill oval will include a Twenty20 cricket match between the pub and the club.

Auburn will host a twilight market on the Sunday while Blyth Cinema will play the movie Breakaway.

Clare’s main street will be closed on Monday, January 18, for the Stop the Traffic Street Party from 5pm-8pm, featuring stalls, plenty of music and entertainment, wine tastings, and a giant Monopoly game.

Tuesday will begin with the Clare Valley Breakaway Breakfast of Champions in the Clare Town Hall; which will match wine, food and a guest speaker; leading up to the start of the race.

Penwortham is planning a breakfast at Bookstop and Beans and a sausage sizzle at Horrocks Cottage, while Sevenhill Hotel will also offer a traditional Aussie breakfast.

Watervale Community Hall will feature local artists, wineries offering tastings and food and refreshments, while KT and the Falcon and Crabtree Wines will host a riesling event with music.

Riverton will welcome the first sprint finish ­of the Santos 2009 Tour Down Under with a Wheelie Fun Fair featuring stalls, a best dressed bike competition and entertainment by Bold as Brass.

Tarlee will host a community lunch as the tour passes through, while Clare will cool off after the Tour with fun and games at the Valleys Lifestyle Centre swimming pool.

“The riders are really accessible, there will be some fantastic opportunities for young people, and even older people like the Mayor, to get an autograph,” council chief executive officer Roy Blight told Friday’s launch.