Brunswick - Bike Rodeo
The Rotary Club of Brunswick
BIKE RODEO AND FAMILY SAFETY DAY
Current Brunswick Rotary President Dave Taft
The 23rd annual Brunswick Bicycle Rodeo and Family Safety Day was held in the parking lot of the Brunswick Walmart on Saturday, May 20th. The event, organized by the Brunswick Rotary, Brunswick Parks and Recreation Department, Merrymeeting Wheelers, Mid Coast Hospital, Center Street Cycle, Brunswick Police Department, and Walmart, brought 176 young bicycle enthusiasts to enjoy a day filled with sunshine, fun, and learning. This family event is a combination of static safety displays, a rodeo course to practice bicycle skills, and bicycle safety checks.
Rich Cromwell and Bob Bruce from Merrymeeting Wheelers created a 10 station rodeo course for the children to navigate through with the help of the Brunswick Rotarians. Bike helmets donated by the Brunswick Rotary, Merrymeeting Wheelers, and United Lodge- 14th Masonic District Lodge 8 were fitted for each participating child by the members of Merrymeeting Wheelers. The Brunswick Police Department provided bicycle registration forms for each child’s bike to be tagged and registered with the P.D., and officers interacted with the children to help make them feel comfortable with the uniformed officers. Center Street Cycle’s Ben Farrell and his crew completed safety checks on every bicycle, looking for proper tire inflation, as well as checking gear and brake mechanics.
Corporal Michelle Small and her German Shepherd, Sampson, from the Bath Police Department’s K9 Unit demonstrated search and seizure techniques and criminal apprehension and submission techniques. Mr. Jim Bridge from Maine Search and Rescue Dogs was on hand with dogs that perform search and rescue duties that they use to find people lost in the woods.
Firemen from the Brunswick Fire Department brought their Smoke House to teach children how to react if they are ever caught in a dangerous situation. The Maine National Guard setup a Humvee and treated children to check out the vehicle and to discuss the role the Guard plays in protecting the public. Northeast Ambulance was on site to conduct blood pressure checks and show children what the inside of an ambulance looks like. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife brought one of their boats, instructed children on boating safety, and demonstrated proper personal flotation device fittings for kids. In addition, the department brought an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with information about upcoming safety courses.
Mid Coast Hospital provided fruit and talked to both children and parents about the importance of smoke-free homes and good nutrition for their growing bodies. Merrymeeting Amateur Radio Association, a long time participant in this event, demonstrated how to use amateur radios, aka ham radios, to attendees. Brunswick Boy Scouts of America Troop 648 set up a display to educate kids and families about their program. Families were able to bowl thanks to a portable bowling “lane” set up by Yankee Lanes..JPG)
Each child received a tote bag, provided by Lowe’s, filled with small gifts donated by T.D. Bank, Yankee Lanes, Applebee’s, McDonald’s, Dentist Clifton Hodges, Mid Coast Hospital, Little Dog Coffee Shop , and Dunkin’ Donuts. Additional financial sponsors included Ray Labbe and Sons, U-Haul, Bangor Savings Bank, and Subway. Lowe’s employees also provided a gardening demonstration and at-home seed starters for children.
Young adults from Brunswick Parks and Rec Department helped set up and take down the event, grilled hot dogs donated by Danny’s on The Mall, served pizza donated by Pizza Hut, Amato’s, Papa John’s, Domino’s, and Romeos, and handed out bottled water donated by Pepsi. Children were able to make green smoothies by using ingredients donated by Walmart and a bicycle-powered blender, provided by the Merrymeeting Wheelers.
No safety event would be complete without Sparky the fire dog and McGruff the crime dog greeting and interacting with the children throughout the morning.
Tom Farrell of Brunswick Parks and Recreation was the M.C. of the event, using a sound system with music provided by Charlie Crosby, to thank all of the participants and sponsors and do drawings for giveaways throughout the morning. Four new bicycles donated by Center Street Cycle and Walmart, and went to contest winners Julia A., Carter D., Isla T., and Anna-Lia O. Donated tickets from the Portland Sea Dogs, Dunkin Donuts and Little Dog Coffee Shop were won by James W., Chloe M., Lillyanna P., Felix H., Tei P., Landon D., Elliot T., Jennifer L and Murphy F.
The many partners involved in the 2017 Brunswick Bicycle Rodeo and Family Safety Day show that it takes an entire community to help provide a safe environment for our children in which to grow up. This annual event, in its 23rd year, provided over 176 children and their parents an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about bicycle safety skills and the services provided by the Safety Station organizations in our community. The number one priority in any community should be our children and their health and safety.