Everything is running on wheels

GHENT - The third edition of the 'roller parades' is taking place in eight Belgian cities. The organization is in the hands of the Belgium Rollers. The twenty-kilometer tour always starts from the city center. The participants on wheels receive a police escort. The Summer Tour 2004 also pays tribute to Joseph Merlin from Walloon Huy, who invented the roller skate two hundred years ago. The participating cities are Ghent, Koksijde, Ostend, Hasselt, Brussels, Namur, Mons, and Huy. An overview of the dates for Flanders and Brussels. Every Monday until August 30 in Hasselt; every Wednesday until August 25 (except July 21 and 28) in Ghent; every Friday until September 24 in Brussels; every Sunday in July in Ostend; every Sunday in August (except August 8 and 15) in Koksijde. Meeting time is always at 7 p.m. Departure is scheduled for 8 p.m. and arrival at 11 p.m. The event is cancelled in case of rain. Children are required to wear necessary protection for wrists, elbows, knees, and head. For adults, these are of course also recommended, even though a first-aid team is present during the events. Furthermore, a new law makes it mandatory to wear a light signal (white at the front, red at the back) in darkness and poor weather conditions on cycle paths. Those using the roadway must also wear a fluorescent jacket. In case of fatigue or minor accidents, the sweeper van brings the participants back to the starting point. Joseph Merlin, the godfather of all roller skaters, skaters, and skeelers, will be celebrated this summer in Huy with, among other things, an exhibition from August 14 to 22 and a sound and light show on August 7 in the historic center. ■ More info at www.belgiumrollers.com.