On any given day, the streets of downtown Lompoc are typically filled with a steady cluster of cars, weaving in and out of lanes and whizzing through intersections. It’s not always a picnic for pedestrians.
But that will change on Aug. 3. For one day, the city will host a unique event which eschews cars in favor of foot traffic.
Healthy Lompoc Coalition’s Open Streets event, celebrating its second year in Lompoc, features 1 mile of roads free of automobiles. The space is open for people to walk, bike, exercise, roller skate, or play in. The day also features local vendors, informational booths, and activities for kids and adults and also coincides with Lompoc Old Town Market day.
Emily Casarez, director of Community Health with the Healthy Lompoc Coalition, said last year’s event drew in more than 3,000 visitors. Casarez said the organizers want to encourage people to ride their bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or roller skates to the event.
“The event has been going on in other parts of Santa Barbara County, and we really wanted to bring it to Lompoc Valley,” Casarez said. “Last year we had a grant that encompassed some funding for this event, and we thought we should go for it.”
Casarez said the event originally started in Bogota, Colombia, and eventually spread to Los Angeles. The event in LA is much larger, covering more than 5 miles and is more bicycle focused. But even on a smaller scale, Lompoc’s Open Streets packs in a lot.
The day isn’t just about being car-free. A series of activities are planned that focus on physical activity such as a mini bike rodeo, a BMX bicycle trick demonstration by Team Soil, big tricycle drag racing, rock wall climbing, and more sports, games, art, dance, and music. Casarez said the event plans to hand out 200 free bicycle helmets for kids, adorned with reflective safety stickers.
“There are so many options to choose from,” Casarez said. “All forms of transportation are welcome.”
There are also several free bicycle ride events that coincide with Open Streets, planned by the Lompoc Valley Bicycle Club. At noon on the day of the event, the club will hold three separate pre-event rides, ranging from 15 to 30 miles, which all start at Centennial Park at the corner of H Street and Cypress Avenue. On Aug. 4 at 8:30 a.m., the bicycle club will also host a 36-mile ride through the Santa Rita Hills wine appellation.
Open Streets is a collaboration between the Healthy Lompoc Coalition and the city of Lompoc, as well as other community groups including the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, the Lompoc Valley Bicycle Club, Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Traffic Solutions Department, the Santa Barbara Foundation, and the Lompoc Valley Medical Center, and Union Bank.
“I think it’s an important event to bring to a community,” Casarez said. “But the reason we really are excited to bring it back to Lompoc is it helps connect community members to local organizations. It supports the livelihood of their city and shows everyone how they can enjoy their town.”
Arts and Lifestyle Writer Rebecca Rose is always on foot. Contact her at rrose@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 2-9, 2018.