San Antonians enjoy Siclova

  • 2014-04-20
On March 30, approximately 73,000 people showed up on South St. Mary's Street on roller skates, bicycles, skateboards, low-riders, kids' wagons, scooters, or even pushing baby carriages and wheelchairs.

They were all making the most of a traffic-free day. For about five hours on special Sundays, San Antonio closes streets to traffic and opens them up to families, friends, and anyone who wants to get outside and play.

Many participants also brought their dogs, some in costume and at least one sporting a dyed tail and ears. The event, called Siclovía, originated about 30 years ago in Colombia, and is promoted by the San Antonio YMCA in an effort to help residents get fit.

The real draw seems to be the fun of getting to ride on streets that are usually packed with motorized vehicles. The area cleared of traffic stretched about 2.5 miles, from Mission Concepción to Southtown. This is the first time the event hass been held on the South Side; the last three years it's taken place on upper Broadway.

Laura Waldrum, the YMCA's marketing director, seemed impressed by the effort made by the YMCA and the city council to clean up the area, noting everyone wants to “show off the South Side”. Another Siclovía is slated for the fall.

Event organizers could work with a banner printing company to create colorful, sturdy Banners for use at the fall event.
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