CAR FREE DAY street party w/rain

Rain kept car free day street party numbers down to about 50 people, and kept the musical performers inside the welcoming Sky Dragon Centre, yet while rain may have dampened the numbers, it did little to sink the buoyant spirits in attendance.

A critical mass bike ride with 30 riders took off for a ride that touched Locke, Aberdeen, Victoria, and King William and points in between. Costumed riders brightened the ride, and prizes donated by Green Venture and OPIRG McMaster were handed out to the most colourful by our committee of children judges.

After the riders returned a human traffic control formed to divert traffic from King William, and a tree constructed from the contents of dumpsters majestically festooned the crosswalk at James Street, looking as though it was planted there 20 years ago.

Meanwhile, Kim and Frank Koren (aka Punchbuggy Yellow) took the stage inside the Sky Dragon Centre's Bread and Roses Cafe to start the live music portion of the night.

As the rain continued outside, the appearance of three Hamilton Police (on bicycles) served to make the rain feel wetter, and after 10 minutes of negotiation, the car free revellers decided to join the drier climes of the cafe where spoken word artist D-Lishus was set to perform, followed by Tarik with some rhymes and Kelly Grrrl for some punk rock fun.

Thanks to all the performers and the people who helped shape the evening, the Bunnytown crew for the spirit and the colour, and to Kevin at the Sky Dragon for the use of the dry space (now licensed...)

Happy International Car Free Day!