Strap on your skates: rides are organized all summer long

MONS ROLLER PARADE The roller parade will take place in eight cities, including Mons. The event will be closely supervised. And we're off again. Given last year's success, the Roller Parade sporting event is back this summer, as part of the "Belgium Rollers Summer Tour 2004". The festivities, launched on June 19, will take place throughout the summer. Eight Belgian cities will participate in the event: Brussels, Huy, Hasselt, Mons, Ghent, Namur, Ostend, and Koksijde. A large ride of about 20 kilometers will be organized in each city, one evening a week. The Roller Parade will bring together all roller enthusiasts, as it is open to young and old, amateurs and professionals. Participants can freely roll through the streets of their city at their own pace. The Roller Parade aims to promote rollerblading/skating as a means of transport, a leisure activity, or a sport. But it will also be an opportunity for participants to rediscover their city from a different angle. Safety The wearing of all protective gear is required for children: wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, reflective gear, and helmet. Protective gear is also strongly recommended for adults, to avoid injuries in case of a fall. For the parade to take place in a safe and pleasant atmosphere, it is advisable to control your speed and maintain safe distances from other participants. Organizers encourage wearing light-colored clothing for optimal visibility in the dark. Assistance and care A first-aid staff will be present to take care of any injured persons. The Red Cross will also be on site. Two ambulances will follow the procession, and roller-skating first responders will be distributed along the entire route. 21 Mons police officers trained in rollerblading will supervise the participants. A sweep bus will be available to pick up tired participants. In Mons, the Roller Parade rides will take place every Saturday, starting this weekend (except August 7). The meeting point is at 7 p.m. on the Grand-Place. Participants will be greeted by staff and can warm up. The departure is set for 8 p.m. Participants can rest and refresh themselves halfway through, at Grand Large. The return to the Grand-Place is scheduled for around 11 p.m. In case of rain or bad weather, the ride will be canceled. To find out if the Roller Parade will indeed take place, simply send "BRFR" by SMS to 3791 (€0.25 per SMS). Organizers advise checking your equipment before putting on your skates... PLEASE NOTE For more information: 02/414.84.02 or www.belgiumrollers.com See you Saturday at 7 p.m. on the Grand-Place. ©V.F. Everyone on track! ©L.L. IT WAS INVENTED IN HUY Rollerblading celebrates its 200th anniversary Rollerblading will celebrate the bicentennial of its invention this year. It first appeared in Huy, thanks to Jean-Joseph Merlin. This Belgian, who became the principal mechanic at the Cox Museum in London, is notably the father of roller skates, scales, and certain musical instruments. Jean-Joseph Merlin also created the first roller skates nearly 200 years ago. On the occasion of this anniversary, the city of Huy will organize various festivities this summer as part of "Merlin Year": exhibitions, sound and light shows, street performances, etc. A large exhibition will present unique pieces designed by the inventor from Huy, as well as different models of roller skates. The exhibition will be open from July 14 to August 22. On August 7, the city of Huy will organize a special roller parade, in tribute to Merlin. This will be an opportunity for interested parties to discover the life and work of the inventor. The ride will be followed by a magical sound and light show, which will highlight the city's historical heritage. A large illuminated procession, composed of "actors" on roller skates, will wander through the city. Another special parade will take place, also in Huy, on September 25. This evening will mark the closing of the Belgium Rollers Summer Tour 2004.