Fairfax "Streets for People" Opens up the Street this Sunday!

Streets for People is back for its third year in downtown Fairfax, this Sunday August 31, 2014 from 11:00am to 4:00pm. The downtown blocks on Bolinas Road will be closed to vehicle traffic and open to the community for live music, dancing, yoga, games, shopping, food and outdoor activities for people of all ages.

Local businesses, organizations and community members are collaborating to provide vibrant spaces on the street. The event will feature old favorites such as the Youth Music Showcase, a street mandala, an outdoor cafe, Sterling the BubbleSmith and the popular Strider Adventure Zone which gives young children the opportunity to develop safe bicycle riding skills on a fun bike course.

New features this year include belly dancing, break dancing, acro yoga, kung fu, as well as a make-your-own-sushi workshop. A clothing swap will give people the chance to exchange “gently worn” clothes for new finds. And bicycle enthusiasts are encouraged to decorate their bicycles for a chance to win valuable prizes from Good Earth Natural Foods.

Renee Goddard created the first Streets for People in 2012 after being inspired by Ciclovía, a weekly Sunday open streets event in Bogata, Columbia that encompasses 70 miles of car-free streets for two million people. Hundreds of cities and towns around the world and across the US now feature their own versions of car-free weekends. According to Goddard, the goal is to “create community resiliency and positive spirit, while celebrating what makes Fairfax unique.”

In the car-free spirit of the event, organizers encourage participants to leave their cars at home, and consider walking, biking (park at the free bike valet) or taking public transportation. Marin Transit Routes 23 and 68 run on Sunday and stop in Fairfax every 30 and 60 minutes, respectively (see www.marintransit.org or www.511.org for details).

If driving or in need of a ride, participants can try Carma, a free smart phone application designed to match riders and drivers. The first 20 people who use Carma to come to the event, and show their ride receipt at the Carma table, will receive a $5 Fairfax Coffee Roastery gift card.

Residents and visitors to Fairfax on Sunday should note that Bolinas Road between Broadway and Elsie Lane will be closed from 9:30am to 5:00pm, and traffic will be re-routed to Bank Street.

Sustainable Fairfax, the Fairfax Chamber, the Fairbuck and the Town of Fairfax collaborated to bring this event to Fairfax. For more information and a schedule of activities, performances and classes, please visit www.sustainablefairfax.org. The event still needs volunteers. To sign up, please see the remaining open spots at this link. See you soon in the street !