San Antonio- Lace up your sneakers tune up your bikes and prepare the kids and dog for a day of fun this Sunday when Síclovía heads to the Midtown-East area outside downtown with exciting and new activities the whole family will enjoy.
Síclovía, a YMCA of Greater San Antonio Community Event, takes place Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Presenting Sponsor H-E-B and Platinum Sponsor Humana will open the streets to an expected 65,000+ participants. Síclovía is a free event that will turn selected city streets into a safe place for people of all ages to exercise and play in a car-free environment for five hours.
“We are very excited put together our biggest Síclovía ever,” Sandy Morander, president of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio, announced during a Sept. 23 press conference at Dignowity Park, one of the featured stops along the new Midtown-East route. “We wanted to continue promoting an active lifestyle, while giving people all new experiences to look forward to at this event.”
The route follows the original Broadway stretch, between Alamo Plaza and Lion’s Field Park, then explores San Antonio’s flourishing near-East Side. Participants will be able to head east through McCullough and Nolan streets to Dignowity and Lockwood Parks. Organizers have been trying different routes to showcase vibrant urban areas. The March 2014 route was held in the artsy Southtown area.
New for 2014 will be a small Farmer’s Market, hosted by Council District 2, at Lockwood Park featuring locally grown food. Also, a KRLN Ride & Learn Zone and a Ride Smart Zone at Lion’s Field Park where novice cyclists from ages four to forty can receive bike safety and education information. A limited number of helmets will be given away at KLRN.
“This will be a great day of family togetherness where folks can explore the exciting developments in the neighborhoods near Dignowity and Lockwood parks,” said Councilman Keith Toney, whose District 2 covers the eastern part of the route. “I encourage the public to come out and experience this fun event.”
Event goers can expect many reclovías, or stopping points, with activities such as zumba, yoga, music and several vendors with fun activities and information on how to live a healthier lifestyle. H-E-B will provide healthy cooking demonstrations and nutrition education.
“It is truly an honor to be a part of this event,” said Kate Rogers, vice president of communications and engagement at H-E-B. “To give our great city an event where everybody can come together to ‘play in the street’ and enjoy a day of physical activity and family togetherness is something special.”
Humana will host a comprehensive wellness area where participants can check BMI, blood pressure and other indicators key to healthy living and participate in various fitness demonstrations.
“We have big things in store for the people of San Antonio with this Síclovía event,” said Tom Silliman, market vice president of Humana. “We want to make this Síclovía event memorable for the entire family.”
Prior to the official start, there will also be a 5K Run/Walk along the route, starting at 8 a.m.
“Not signed up for the 5K? No worries. We’ll be registering online all week, so you still have time, or show up to the race early and we can register you there,” said Monica Garza, Director of community wellness for the YMCA.
Visit www.Siclovia.org learn more about the 5K, farmer’s market, parking locations and more.
Check out the KSAT story for more on the expanded route.
About Síclovía: Síclovía is ideal to bike, run, skateboard or do any recreational activity without worrying about navigating around traffic. Among the largest events of its kind in the country, Síclovía draws tens of thousands for fitness fun in the streets of San Antonio. It features reclovías, or stopping points, along a 3.25-mile route with free activities for everyone to enjoy. Those include a zone for novice cyclists, zumba, yoga, music and several vendors with fun activities and interesting information on how to have a healthier lifestyle. Visit www.siclovia.org for more information.