Every Summer Thursday will be Roller-skating

NAMUR • Roller Parade Every Summer Thursday will be Roller-skating The Roller Parade returns to Namur every Thursday this summer. Two circuits, one urban and the other along the Meuse, for very fun excursions 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 was hard to do otherwise: the event was too successful 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 city that was most popular: it received unanimous approval from participants coming from Brussels or Liège," says Carl De Moncharline, a Brussels nightlife promoter and organizer of the Belgium Rollers' Summer Tour in eight Belgian cities. Several new features mark the 2004 edition of the Namur stop. First, participants no longer meet on Tuesdays in front of the Palace of Justice, but every Thursday in the patio of the city 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 the return is scheduled for around 11 p.m. Beginners can show up with their skates from 6 p.m. to enjoy an introduction to roller-skating by qualified staff. Roller Cops Also new on the route. Two routes of about twenty kilometers are offered alternately. One is essentially urban and visits the city center, Salzinnes, and Jambes. "Practical for people who only wish to follow the parade for a few kilometers without moving away 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 to Lustin before descending to Namur via Wépion and la Plante. The parade is always supervised by staff experienced in all the subtleties of urban gliding. The municipal police are largely involved, with about fifteen "roller cops" specially trained to ensure safety throughout the festive, sporty, relaxed, and musical parade. Wearing protective gear is recommended for all and required for children (wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, reflective gear, and helmet). In case of injury, first-aid assistance is ready to intervene. Cyclists are welcome (with a compliant bicycle) at the end of the procession. Obviously, this is Belgium, and the weather could play spoilsport. In case of rain, the outing is simply canceled. To confirm, listen to Pure FM presenters on the day between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Or connect to the Belgium Rollers' Summer Tour website for the latest info. www.belgiumrollers.com Two alternating routes Two circuits have been developed and will be offered alternately on summer Thursdays. Arrival and departure are always from the patio of the city hall. URBAN ROUTE (19 km). Rue de fer, rue de la Croix, rue Godefroid, Place de la Station, rue Rogier, Pont des Ardennes, Chaussée de Liège, Pont des Grands Malades, Avenue Albert 1er, Boulevard Cauchy, Pont de Louvain, Boulevard du Nord, Avenue des Combattants, Avenue de Stassart, Avenue Sergent Vrithoff, Rue Patenier, Avenue Reine Astrid, Avenue Baron Huart, Pont de Jambes, Avenue Materne, Avenue Bovesse, Pont des Ardennes, Boulevard Brunell, Boulevard Frère Orban, Boulevard Mélot. INTERURBAN ROUTE (21.5 km). Circuit in the city center and then Pont des Ardennes, Avenue Bovesse, Avenue Materne, Rue de Coppin, Rue de Dave up to the Pont de Lustin, Chaussée de Dinant via Wépion, Avenue Félicien Rops, Avenue de La Plante, Avenue 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.