It's rolling along, just like on skates

Join us on the Grand-Place of Mons this Saturday for a summer parade, just like in 2003. MONS ∇ This week, Carl de Moncharline, the creator of the Roller Parade, whose success is resounding in the streets of Brussels, was present in Mons to introduce the second edition of the Mons parade. "Last year's memory is one of a thoroughly friendly atmosphere marked by a great collaboration with the police forces who even helped us in other cities," explains the Bruxellois. "There is a lot of good humor in this city, whose characteristic is to have many cobblestones, which leads to some rather funny scenes at the beginning of the parade, given that the start is given on the Grand-Place. It's only here that we proceed in this manner." The principle of the Roller Parade is very simple. Once a week, provided the weather is good, a meeting is set for a great 20 km ride through the city streets. Open to all, beginners and confirmed skaters, young and old, the Roller Parade is an opportunity to discover one's city differently and to make new contacts with the police officers who supervise the procession. Because in Mons, about twenty uniformed men have taken the initiative to learn how to rollerblade. "No one was doing it when we announced the first edition last year," explains Commissioner Sarlet, from the Mons police traffic department. "We had many volunteers who even happily agreed to supervise the parade during their leisure hours. Even the training takes place outside of working hours. It's important for us to contribute to this kind of event and to move away from a repressive role to supervise the population. It's very pleasant." It is for this reason that the police officers anticipate the Roller Parade with such pleasure. "If some want to learn how to skate, they can join us in the evening, during the week, at Les Grands-Prés..." The first meeting of the summer is this Saturday from 7 p.m. on the Grand-Place of Mons. Don't forget your protections and your lights. Finally, if you don't own rollerblades, the organization can provide them for you. The Mons police officers train to rollerblade at Les Grands-Prés to best supervise the Summer Parade.