Guilford County Parks is putting on a rodeo at Hagan-Stone Park this week, but anyone expecting to see burly men being thrown off the backs of burly beasts will not get to see that.
It’s actually a “Bike Rodeo” – which may not be quite as exciting as a real rodeo, but the kids should enjoy it and should also learn some safety and riding tips.
They’ll also get free helmets.
The county and the Pleasant Garden Fire Department received 100 bicycle helmets for distribution to local kids and teens through a grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Division. The effort is funded through profits from the state’s “Share the Road” specialty license plate, as well as through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Traumatic Brain Injury Program, which has provided helmets to thousands of kids over the years to help prevent injuries and fatalities.
Guilford County Parks staff and Pleasant Garden firefighters will distribute the helmets at no charge during the bike rodeo at Hagan-Stone Park at 5920 Hagan-Stone Park Road in Pleasant Garden, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 23.
The rodeo is open to kids ages 5 to 12. They’ll learn about bicycle safety, practice bike skills and will ride an instructional obstacle course.
Honestly, it doesn’t sound like a rodeo in any way, shape or form. However, the Parks Department is doing quite a bit of active marketing these days, so they are adding a bit of color to the event description, just as news outlets often do with their headlines.
Hagan-Stone Park Supervisor Anthony Ellison said the event should be a lot of fun as well as educational.
“We want to teach each child how to properly wear a helmet when riding their bike” he said. “This event is an opportunity to learn, practice, and demonstrate bike handling skills in a fun, safe, and encouraging atmosphere.”
The Guilford County Parks Department has been very active this summer and especially this July – which is “National Parks and Recreation Month. This month, Guilford County’s parks have been home to special events, fireworks, guided hikes, tours and educational events.
Those who want more information about the county’s parks can visit www.guilfordparks.com or follow the system on Facebook.
