“Seize the Summer” Highland Avenue SomerStreet Event Set for July 29th!

“Seize the Summer,” the July installment of the city’s seasonal SomerStreets festival, will take place on Sunday, July 29 from noon to 4 p.m. between Walnut and Cedar Streets on Highland Avenue. It is the second of five SomerStreets celebrations planned for 2012, with the first event having drawn more than 3,000 attendees in June along East Broadway. Some of the programs for the 29th include a “Kidical Mass” bike ride to Davis Square; Cambridge Health Alliance health & fitness fair; health workshops including an American Red Cross blood drive; arts and craft vendors; live music, and more. SomerStreets is the centerpiece of the City’s Open Streets Initiative, which closes sections of roadways one Sunday per month to promote and support active living – walking, biking, running, dancing, and more.

Along Highland Ave., local businesses and organizations including the American Red Cross, Cambridge Health Alliance, Kidical Mass, the Center for Arts at the Armory, the Somerville YMCA, the Somerville Public Library, and the Somerville Fire Department, among others, will partner with the City to provide activities for children and adults of all ages. Activities will include, but are not limited to:

The Flying Word Fair and children’s yoga (Central Library)
“Kidical Mass” Bike Parade (begins at 1:00 from School Street)
American Red Cross Blood Drive (To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org)
Live music and arts & crafts vendors (Center for Arts at the Armory)
Health & fitness fair (Somerville Hospital)
Face painting, food, and family-friendly activities
In order to ensure public safety at the event, road closures and parking bans will be in effect.

Highland Avenue (Walnut Street to Cedar Street)
Closed to all vehicular traffic from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., no parking 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
City Hall Concourse and Central Library
No parking on-street from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MBTA buses will be rerouted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Residents who live directly on Highland Avenue may call (857) 523-9017 in advance or on the day of the event and city volunteers will assist you in leaving/returning to your property safely during the event.