On September 14, the Minuteman Bikeway will transform from a commuter corridor into a lively festival for the second annual Bikeway Block Party. Cyclists and walkers will mingle with mariachi bands, yoga classes, and other activities as the nearly 30-year-old trail is turned into a dance floor, an art studio, and a performance stage.
Lexington, which hosts events from the annual Discovery Day in May to the weekly Farmers’ Market, has long celebrated building community. The Bikeway Block Party adds to that tradition. The event takes place at seven locations along the Minuteman Bikeway, something that organizers Cristina Burwell, executive director of Munroe Center for the Arts, and Jim Cadenhead, founder of Battle Road Bikes, wanted to take full advantage of.
With its steady stream of cyclists, walkers, and families, the path naturally draws in an audience.
“There’s so much traffic on the bike path that people that wouldn’t normally come to a performance, came upon the performance and really enjoyed it,” Burwell said.
“Sometimes people in the western part of Lexington don’t see themselves as part of East Lexington, and vice versa,” Burwell added. “But on the bike path, everyone is connected.”
Hosting a community event on the bikeway offers another strategic advantage: eliminating the need for parking while providing an efficient route between venues.
“You can ride or walk from point to point and don’t have to deal with traffic or parking. No one is even asking anything of you,” Cadenhead told LexObserver.
This year, there will be over 30 different performers and activities along the path, from the Bedford Depot, through Lexington, to the Uncle Sam Plaza in Arlington. Among the performers returning from last year is Lexington resident and harpist Natalie Knourenko, whose playing became a highlight of last year’s event.
“It was so special to see so many friends and neighbors smiling, enjoying music, and joining in the yoga,” Knourenko said. “Being part of that celebration truly filled my heart and reminded me how lucky we are to share these moments together.”
Knourenko, who has performed in concert halls as well as community settings, believes that blending her music with wellness activities like yoga creates a distinct experience: “This year I’m especially excited to return and collaborate with my friends at Lexington Power Yoga, one of my favorite local businesses. Together, we’ll create a unique blend of music, movement, and meditation … [that is] such a beautiful way to help people slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves and one another.”
While music is a crucial component of any gathering, the Bikeway Block Party will include a myriad of activities, ranging from puppets to Tai Chi to bike decorating.
“It’s really a mix of different things all along the bikeway. It’s an awesome opportunity for folks to expand their comfort zone,” Cadenhead told LexObserver.
This variety ensures that there’s something for visitors of all ages to enjoy. For example, one collaboration will involve the Munroe Center for the Arts camp counselors-in-training assisting with arts and crafts activities.
“It is not only giving us an opportunity to nurture artists but also allowing more people in the community to see the arts and be entertained by them,” Burwell said.
With attendance once again expected to reach into the thousands, organizers are taking extra steps to ensure the event remains safe for everyone, managing heavy foot and bike traffic to prevent congestion and accidents.
“We will have ambassadors that work at the parks. They’re all going to be wearing vests, and they’re going to be pulling people off of the bikeway, asking them to move off. We have places for people to park bikes,” Cadenhead told LexObserver.
Organizers of the Bikeway Block Party remain committed to preserving the spirit that made its first year so memorable. For them, the event is not only an afternoon of activities but also an opportunity to spark joy and build community pride.
“Last year, someone told me it was one of the greatest things they had ever seen happen in town. That kind of energy and enthusiasm is exactly what we want to recreate each year,” Cadenhead said.
The organizers of the Bikeway Block Party are still looking for volunteers. If you’d like to help, please sign up here.