There will be a whole lot of things going on this Saturday in downtown Greensboro and it should be a whole lot of fun for those who come out.

The City of Greensboro and Action Greensboro will officially celebrate the completion of the Downtown Greenway with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 16, at Cairn’s Course, 501 Guilford Ave.

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with remarks taking place at noon.

City officials, business owners, artists, project partners and residents are expected to gather to celebrate the completion of the 4-mile loop around downtown Greensboro – a project that supporters say has been more than 25 years in the making.

According to city officials, the Downtown Greenway represents a $54 million public-private investment designed to connect neighborhoods, parks, public art, local businesses and regional trail systems.

“The Downtown Greenway is more than a trail, it’s an experience,” Downtown Greenway Project Manager Dabney Sanders said in a statement released by the city. “Every section was designed to connect people not only to places, but to Greensboro’s story, through art, landscape, and shared public space.”

Sanders also said the project reflects a focus on sustainability by restoring natural systems, improving water quality and creating what she described as a more resilient urban environment.

The completed greenway loop is intended for walking and biking and it connects eight neighborhoods to downtown Greensboro. It also ties into larger trail systems, including the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the East Coast Greenway.

City officials say the project has helped spur more than $612 million in completed and planned development along the corridor. According to the release, residential projects, businesses, educational institutions and nonprofits have continued to grow around the greenway as demand increases for walkable urban areas.

One of the more distinctive aspects of the Downtown Greenway is its public art collection. The loop contains more than 40 art installations, including sculptures, artist-designed benches, bike racks, bridges and gathering spaces intended to reflect Greensboro’s history and culture.

The grand opening celebration will also include live music by AMRodeo, performances by CircusEVO, face painting, games, a photo booth and other family-friendly activities.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local vendors including Demeter Wine, Little Brother Brewing, Rockin’ Moroccan, Taco Bros and The Ice Queen.

According to event organizers, the noon program will include remarks from Sanders; Cemala Foundation Executive Director Susan Schwartz; Downtown Greenway Oversight Committee Co-Chair Trip Brown; Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter; Greensboro City Manager Trey Davis; and Greensboro Parks and Recreation Greenway & Gardens Program Coordinator Chelsea Phipps.

After the remarks, attendees will be invited to participate in what organizers describe as a “super-sized community ribbon” cutting in order to officially open the completed loop.

Several organizations connected to trails, tourism and economic development are also expected to take part – including Downtown Greensboro Inc., Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

The greenway also hosts year-round programming through Greensboro Parks and Recreation, including fitness classes, running and walking clubs, bike rides, art classes, bird walks and community events.

According to the city, the Downtown Greenway counted more than 150,000 trail-use counts in 2025 along with nearly 4,000 participants in organized activities.

Organizers say parking will be available at several nearby locations, though attendees are encouraged to walk or bike to the event if possible.

More information about the ribbon-cutting event is available at Downtown Greenway Grand Opening.

About