All summer Thursdays will be for roller skating

NAMUR • Roller Parade All summer Thursdays will be for roller skating The Roller Parade returns to Namur every summer Thursday. Two circuits, one urban and the other along the Meuse, for very fun rides supervised by the police. SKATING ENTHUSIASTS, block all your Thursday evenings in July and August: the Roller Parade is back in the Walloon capital. It's hard to do otherwise: it was such a hit last year. Up to 1,500 joyful paraders were counted on some evenings, wheels on their feet and smiles on their faces. “Namur was the most popular city: it was unanimously appreciated by participants from Brussels or Liège,” says Carl De Moncharline, a promoter of Brussels nightlife and organizer of the Belgium Rollers' summer tour in eight Belgian cities. Several new features mark the 2004 edition of the Namur stage. First, we no longer meet on Tuesdays in the square of the Palais de Justice, but every Thursday in the patio of the town hall (whose parking will be made available free of charge to participants). The gathering begins at 7 p.m., departure is at 8 p.m., and return is scheduled around 11 p.m. Beginners can show up with their skates from 6 p.m. to enjoy an initiation to roller skating practice by qualified personnel. Roller Cops Also new on the route. Two courses of about twenty kilometers are offered alternately. One is essentially urban and visits the city center, Salzinnes and Jambes. “Convenient for people who only wish to follow the parade for a few kilometers without straying too far from the center,” notes Sports Alderman Frédéric Laloux. The second route is more along the Meuse: it goes up the river on the right bank as far as Lustin before descending to Namur via Wépion and La Plante. The parade is always supervised by a staff skilled in all the subtleties of urban skating. The municipal police are largely involved, as about fifteen specially trained “roller cops” ensure security throughout the festive, sporty, relaxed, and musical ride. Wearing protection is recommended for everyone and required for children (wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, reflective gear, and helmet). In case of a boo-boo, first aid assistance is ready to intervene. Note that cyclists are welcome (with a compliant bike) at the end of the procession. Of course, this is Belgium, and the weather could play foul. In case of rain, the outing is simply canceled. To confirm, listen to the Pure FM presenters on the day between 4 and 5 p.m. Or check the Belgium Rollers' summer tour website for the latest information. www.belgiumrollers.com Two alternate routes Two circuits have been developed and will be offered alternately on summer Thursdays. Arrival and departure are indistinctly from the patio of the town hall. URBAN ROUTE (19 km). Rue de fer, rue de la Croix, rue Godefroid, place de la station, rue Rogier, pont des Ardennes, chée de Liège, pont des Grands Malades, av. Albert 1er, bd Cauchy, pont de Louvain, bd du Nord, av. des Combattants, av. de Stassart, av. Sergent Vrithoff, rue Patenier, av. Reine Astrid, av. Baron Huart, pont de Jambes, av. Materne, av. Bovesse, pont des Ardennes, bd Brunell, bd Frère Orban, bd Mélot. INTERURBAN ROUTE (21.5 km). Circuit in the city center and then pont des Ardennes, av. Bovesse, av. Materne, rue de Coppin, rue de Dave as far as pont de Lustin, chaussée de Dinant via Wépion, av. Félicien Rops, av. de La Plante, av. Baron Huart, return to the center via place du théâtre. DATES: July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, as well as August 6, 13, 20, and 27.