Residents and businesses alike are excited about the new Open Streets festival the City of Windsor is planning for this summer. "I'm just excited about what we can do in our little community and what all of the businesses can do and bring forward for everybody so that we can continue and have more dates," says Cara Kennedy with the Walkerville Tavern.
Open Streets Windsor will close 8km of city roads along Sandwich St. to University Ave, Wyandotte St. and Drouillard Rd. The festival promotes healthy living and encourages people to get out and explore their community. "It goes through a number of business communities and business improvement areas like Walkerville, the city centre, Wyandotte Town Centre, the Sandwich and Ford City BIAs as well so it's bringing those neighbourhoods together and connecting them for people to explore," says Michael Cooke with the City of Windsor.
Resident John Thompson says he hopes the festival encourages residents to support a more bike friendly community. "If we can get a lot of our residents out on the streets cycling and some awareness and education I think that would be really good," says Thompson.
The festival will run from 9am to 1pm on Sunday July 17 and Sunday September 18.
The city is looking for businesses, organizations and volunteers to take part in the event.