From now on, it's going to roll, every Thursday

NAMUR FIRST SUMMER ROLLER PARADE From now on, it's going to roll, every Thursday Roller-mania is back in full swing. A friendly start, without the big crowds, on Thursday Music, a giant inflatable arch, and sponsors everywhere. On Thursday, excitement took over Namur, in front of the city hall. A small advertising preview of the Tour de France on the horizon? Certainly not: the Namur summer Roller Parade had simply reclaimed its place in the Walloon capital. On Thursday evening, regulars from last year were the first to gather on the rue de Fer. For the first time, the skate ride started from the city hall's patio. Families, young children, adults, teens: there's no age limit to be hooked on rollerblading. For the first time, beginners had the opportunity to take a quick express course, starting at 6 p.m. before the departure. But a snag, independent of the organizers' will, disrupted these plans. A traffic accident on the way out of Brussels slowed down the Roller Parade "caravan". The result: the team in charge of providing rental skates to the public arrived late. "A few people showed up at 6 p.m. for the initiation, a staffer specified. Logically, these people don't have their own skates, and we weren't able to provide them with any". Everything should be back to normal next Thursday. If you're a beginner, don't hesitate to show up at the city hall patio two hours before the start, scheduled for 8 p.m. For this first parade, many participants had turned up, without reaching last year's attendance records (1500 people). On Thursday, the participants took a new route. More urban, it makes loops in the city center, before passing through Salzinnes. It will be alternated with last year's route, which passes through Dave and Wépion. On Thursday, participants took a new route in brief IN PRACTICE The parade takes place every Thursday in July and August in Namur. Meet from 6 p.m. under the city hall patio to participate in the initiations. Meet at 7 p.m. to prepare for the start and/or rent skates. Departure at 8 p.m. Parade canceled in case of rain. Last-minute info by sending «BRFR» via SMS to [coordonnées retirées] (0.25 per SMS) opinions FOR YOUNG AND OLD ? EDDY SAROLEA, 39, from JAMBES "The pleasure of skating with supervision" "I'm a regular at the parade. It's the only opportunity we have in the region to skate on the road in complete safety. And the atmosphere is excellent." GRAZIELLA SITTA, 39, from JAMBES "I participate by bike!" "I came with my children, but rollerblading isn't for me! So I'm on a bike, behind the procession. You have to adapt to the group's speed."