Mixed Crowd Success for a Premiere

HUY • Roller parade Mixed crowd success for a premiere COURSE SECURITY Police on bikes and rollerblades The Huy police had spared no expense to ensure the safety of participants. Six vehicles, a motorcyclist, three bicycles, and one officer on rollerblades were present. In the end, Commissioner Colinet declared himself very satisfied. During the next two events, two Namur "roller cops" will reinforce the teams. J.H. Between Huy and Amay, the roller parade stretched for several kilometers, with everyone moving at their own pace. Scattered along the route, a few stops nevertheless allowed the ranks to close up. Heymans Tuesday evening, the Huy roller parade finally took place. Although there were only about a hundred of them, the participants enjoyed the sun's rays in good spirits. AFTER being postponed in late June due to capricious weather, the organizers decided to take the risk and launch the Huy roller parade this Tuesday evening. From the public's side, the reception was timid. Many had been put off by the previous experience where they had found the doors closed. Scheduled for 8 PM, the start was postponed by half an hour to allow already present participants to visit the exhibition on Jean-Joseph Merlin's journey. An official proposal that seemed more like a pretext so that the roller parade wouldn't be reduced to a few dozen participants, most of whom were organizers and law enforcement. This half-hour was finally welcome. The public began to gather at the starting line on Avenue des Ardennes. There were between 100 and 150 of them. Most participants were on rollerblades, but a handful had nevertheless chosen bikes. "I've never rollerbladed," explained one of the cyclists, "but I'm here because my son put on his skates." For safety, rollerbladers and cyclists were kept separate by two organization vehicles. Among the cyclists, a little disappointment showed, but it was quickly forgotten when the parade set off on the Quai de Compiègne towards Amay. Seasoned by dozens of parades With the first kilometers came the first falls. Sometimes spectacular, they were fortunately not very serious and were limited to a few. Among the organizers, it was clear that the system had been honed by dozens of previous parades. "To prevent the group from spreading over too long a distance, latecomers are taken into the bus that follows us," indicates one of the staff members supervising the event. "In the bus, they can rest or readjust their equipment if it causes problems." In total, only three or four people benefited from the services of the sweep truck. Following problems with his rental skates, Philippe fell and preferred to finish the journey in the bus. "I thought it would be accessible to a wider public. But I don't intend to stop at a failure. I'm going to train and I'll be back next time." In total, the route stretched for about twenty kilometers, between Huy and Amay. Far from being a race, it was truly a stroll. A way to reclaim the road, another approach to mobility. FROM AVENUE DES ARDENNES Departure under the sun The meeting point was set for Grand-place but the parade finally set off from Avenue des Ardennes around 8:30 PM. After passing over the Baudouin Bridge, participants took Rue Neuve to head towards Place des Récollets and turn towards Amay by taking the Quai de Compiègne. Heymans BY THE MEUSE RIVER All the charm of the river Huy, daughter of the Meuse. The Mosan city probably never deserved this slogan more. On the Quays of Compiègne or Arona, the spectacle was superb. It was a real pleasure to stroll peacefully along the Meuse, especially since the sun deigned to make an appearance. Heymans DETOUR VIA AMAY AT THE FOOT OF THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH The roller parade made a point of going to Amay. A stop was planned on the communal square. In the streets, people came out of their homes or watched from windows. At the foot of the collegiate church, the parade, which had stretched considerably, reformed. Everyone then headed towards the Ombret Bridge. Heymans HUY BY NIGHT In the light of flashing lights After passing through the Quai d'Arona, the first rollerbladers crossed the finish line around 10 PM to a concert of horns and sirens. The ambient humidity did not encourage participants to continue the party, but the dates are already set for the next chains. Heymans SUPERVISION Volunteer staff and first responders At each roller parade, an entire group supervises the participants. For the Huy stage, there were 18 staff members ensuring the smooth running of the event, going back and forth within the group, or intervening in case of technical problems. Among them, there were 3 first responders and a doctor. Heymans TO EACH THEIR OWN TECHNIQUE André and his great-nieces André and his wife live in Ampsin. This week, three great-nieces came to spend a few days of vacation with them. It was a great opportunity to participate in the roller parade. The Ampsin couple had planned everything. While André pedaled, his wife followed in the car, ready to intervene when the little ones were tired. J.H. CARL, THE ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR On rollerblades or on the pickup truck Carl de Moncharline is the initiator and conductor of the roller parade. The former owner of the Brussels nightclub, Who's Who's Land, has more than one idea in mind to animate the capital's evenings. Besides the roller parade, Carl is also the organizer of 'nuits blanches' (all-nighters) or 'immeubles en fête' (building parties). Heymans By word of mouth The roller parade was launched three years ago by one of the princes of Brussels nightlife: Carl de Moncharline. Initially limited to the streets of the capital, the parade began to open up to other Belgian cities in 2003. "By word of mouth, I learned that Merlin, the inventor of the skate, was from Huy. I suggested to Anne-Marie Lizin that we organize a roller parade in the streets of Huy," explains Carl de Moncharline. Three dates have been programmed in the Mosan city as part of the bicentenary. These passages should unfortunately remain without follow-up in the coming years. The next events are set for Saturday, August 7, and Saturday, September 25, for the close of the roller season. "It will be at the same times, but we will propose a different route each time." Arnaud WÉRY http://www.belgiumrollers.com A Parisian collection Passionate about skates, Parisian Sam Nieswiski lent part of his collection for the exhibition that traces the journey of Jean-Joseph Merlin, a native of Huy. STARTING as a simple distraction, roller skating took on an astonishing scale for Sam Nieswiski. "One day, I wanted to know more about the skate. I looked for a book on the subject but, in the end, I wrote that book myself." This Parisian is the author of "Rollermania," a work from the "Découvertes Gallimard" collection, which traces the history of an entertainment for eccentric aristocrats that has now become a fashionable sport. Sam has been skating for 60 years, both roller and ice skating. He therefore has all kinds of skates, whether for long strolls or for performing a few dance steps. Passionate, author, and skater. Sam Nieswiski is also a collector. He has lent part of his private collection to the exhibition held at Galerie Juvénal. "This is the first time I've participated in such a long exhibition. I've always been a bit reluctant to lend, but I had very positive contacts with the organizers." For the Parisian, this passion also allows him to travel. "As part of my research, I went to Switzerland, for example, to visit a cycling museum, as well as to Nebraska, where the only skate museum is located." From this historical investigation, Sam Nieswiski mainly remembers that for 100 years, the skate was in-line. A. WÉRY Exhibition visible Place Verte, Galerie Juvénal from July 13 to August 22 (except Mondays) from 2 PM to 6 PM. Price: €1. Among his skates, Sam Nieswiski is all smiles. J.H.