Madison Myers, 4, and Ryann Huggins, 7, put the finishing touches on bikes they will ride in Saturday’s first annual Blythewood Bike Parade. The parade will be held in the parking lot of Trinity United Methodist Church with sign in at 9 a.m. The parade will begin at 10 a.m.
BLYTHEWOOD – Trinity United Methodist Church in Blythewood is sponsoring the town’s first annual Bike Parade in the church’s parking lot Saturday morning. Organized by Kimberly Roberts, the church’s Director of Children’s Ministry, the parade will include kids ages 12 and under from Blythewood, Winnsboro, Ridgeway and surrounding communities.
“It’s going to be a fun event that I know a lot of kids are already looking forward to,” said Roberts. “They’re already registering and decorating their bikes, wagons, strollers, wheelchairs – whatever they ride or wheel around in.”
But Roberts said that while focus will be fun, the day will be devoted to raising money for wheel4life, a charity that provides people in Third World countries with bikes so they can get to work, market, school or other places without having to make the long trip by foot.
“It’s a great cause,” Roberts said. “I don’t think we stop to think that a bike is the best transportation available for many people in the world.”
Judges for the event will include Mayor J. Michael Ross and representatives from the Blythewood Library, the Waffle House and Groomadog Academy. Prizes will be awarded for Most Patriotic, Most Creative, Best Multi-Entry Group, Judges’ Overall Favorite and Best Non-Bike Entry.
There will be plenty to eat with a bake sale throughout the day. On-site registration will begin at 9 a.m. with the parade starting at 10 a.m. Participants should arrive between 9 and 9:45 a.m. for check-in.
“Everyone is invited to either ride or watch,” Roberts said. “Both will be lots of fun.”
Entry fee is $5 which is non-refundable (even in the event of rain) since all proceeds go to wheel4life. For more information, email kroberts@trinityblythewood.com.