By Judi Lawson Wallace
Can you imagine walking, biking or skating in the
street without worrying about cars?
That's exactly what will happen on Sunday,
May 3, from 1-4 p.m. in downtown Winston
Salem. People of all ages and abilities are invited
to "play in the street." The new Research Parkway
will be closed between 3rd Street and Rams Drive
for three hours so there will be no motor
vehicle traffic ? only cyclists, walkers, people in
wheelchairs, and skaters.
Drummers from the Downtown School will
perform on stage at 1:30 p.m. Other groups
performing include D-Unity dance team from
Konnoak Elementary, salsa dancers, and Wheel
Power & Company from Whitaker Elementary
School. Wheel Power showcases students on
unicycles, stilts, and pogo-hoppers.
Along one side of Research Parkway will be exhibits
with other activities for participants: hula hoops,
jump ropes, corn hole, a SciWorks exhibit on a
gyroscope, a bike that makes electricity, and many
more. On the other side of Research Parkway will
be food trucks as well as a small temporary park.
For the children there will be bike decorating,
helmet fittings, and a Bike Rodeo led by the
Winston-Salem Police Department. A helmet will
be given to any child who does not have one. At
2 p.m., younger children can participate in a Trike
and Training Wheel parade to show off their
decorated bikes. (Be sure to bring a camera!)
Research Parkway, the event location, provides a
vital link into the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter
on the east side of downtown Winston-Salem.
Thanks to the generous donation of these Reynolds
Tobacco Company properties, the former factories
and other tobacco company buildings are being
transformed into contemporary offices, housing
and labs. This event offers a unique opportunity to
visit this revitalized area to see how it is changing.
This event (previously called Cycling Sunday) is
now in its sixth year and attracts people from all
over the region.
So bring your kids, grandkids, friends and family to
join in this fun-filled event!
fudi Lawson Wallace is a localfreelance writer, author,
and biking enthusiast.