PARIS — The Norway-Paris Kiwanis Club and Oxford Hills Rotary Club are gearing up for the annual Bike Rodeo and May Day Play Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

Each year, according to AAA, approximately 200 children under the age of 15 die as a result of bicycle crashes. Thousands more are treated in emergency rooms. The Norway-Paris Kiwanis Club has sponsored an annual bike rodeo in ongoing effort to teach children and their parents bicycle safety skills in a fun family setting.

In addition to providing a safety check of a child’s bicycle and ensuring each child receives a free and properly fitted helmet, this year’s rodeo has expanded to include a variety of “stations” where children will learn – and practice – proper hand signals and bike safety skills.

Each child who completes the course will be entered in a raffle to win a free bicycle donated by Hannafords. Local law enforcement personnel will be on hand to help familiarize riders with the keys to proper bike safety and will help run participants through various obstacle courses to hone their skills.

This year will include a special station for fingerprinting children, sponsored by the local Masonic Lodge, and a car seat safety check conducted by the staff from Stephens Memorial Hospital and the Family Birthplace. Certified child passenger safety technicians will be available to provide free hands-on seat inspections.

“It’s the responsibility of every single parent, caregiver or anyone who transports children in their vehicle, to make sure their passengers are safely restrained – every trip, every time,” said Carol Welsh, RN, perinatal outreach coordinator for Stephens Memorial Hospital’s Family Birthplace.

To participate in the free car seat inspection, parents, caregivers and grandparents should stop by the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School (circular drive by the forum entrance) on May 11. It is not necessary to have the child present, but if possible, it is best to bring them.

And to top off the day, the Oxford Hills Rotary Club will have rope-climbing activities, free horse rides, tours of the PACE ambulance, face painting, balloon animals, the Norway Fire Department Smokehouse Tour and free food.

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