Laurel rides into summer with annual bike parade

By ANDREW MOLLENAUER

About 30 children and their parents gathered June 4 at the Laurel Armory for the city’s annual bike decorating event and parade. Organized by Laurel Police and Parks and Recreation, activities kicked off at 6 p.m. 

Angela Payne brought her 8-year-old daughter, Skylar. Payne said this year’s event marked a childhood milestone for her daughter — the first time riding without training wheels. 

“She did her bike out here and did a good job, it’s a good experience [and] she loves coming out here with her friends,” Payne said. 

Sarah Branning, a parks and recreation employee who spearheaded marketing for the event, said watching the children having fun was great. 

“I love it — seeing the kids’ faces light up,” Branning said. “Most of them are … learning how to ride a bike, so it’s cool seeing them decorating [and] get all excited about it. This is a very simple, easy, free event to put on and a lot of the participants love it.”

Cpl. J.W. Szalankiewicz was among several police officers on hand to supervise the parade, which took place on Montgomery Street between Fourth and Fifth streets. Before the parade, kids participated in a biking safety exercise in the Armory parking lot. 

“We’re always here to help the community out,” Szalankiewicz said. “It’s always fun to watch the kids go around the course, and especially watch them decorate their bikes to show their own flair.”

Vaun Greer brought his two children to the event for the second year in a row. They met up with friends, and Greer said he was excited to be back for what he called the “kickoff of summer.”

“It’s kind of the way for us to connect,” Greer said. “It’s a good meeting point. And obviously you have the law enforcement and public safety officers here; it’s also a good way to meet them and kind of build trust.”