Usually, you wouldn’t dare walk in the middle of Main Street, Hyannis. It’s just too full of traffic to be safe – and besides, that’s jaywalking.
But no tickets will be issued, and more importantly, no traffic allowed on the roadway this Sunday from noon to 5: it’s the Hyannis Open Streets celebration.
It’s a day to own the street and what makes it such a destination for tourists and locals alike. The sun is out, the shop doors are open, and there’s plenty of room for live music, interactive events and plenty of roadside food stands.
Cars are blocked off from Ocean Street to Sea Street, creating a safe, social, and active space for walking, bicycling, dancing, playing, and socializing.
What to Expect
Like the last two Open Streets, this one has a host of musical acts on the lineup. Two jazz ensembles, a Blues band, two DJs and an African Drum Circle.
Trevor the Juggler, an acrobatic street performer for all ages, will toss up incredible stunts and tricks, while Cape Fit Hoops teaches participants how to exercise with hula hoops.
If you’re in a sporting mood, try the beanbag game Cornhole, a cherished Cape Cod pastime. The Barnstable Recreation Department will also provide a slew of carnival games.
A dedicated kids’ corner on the Hyannis Village Green will host a balloon twister, multiple facepaint stations, and a mini gymnastics setup.
The level of participation is just as varied as the offerings. You’ll see young and old gather together to enjoy some much-needed time outside. Skateboarders, bikers, runners and roller-bladers, all conglomerated at the hub of Cape Cod, really shows off the area’s diversity.
How it Started
The local event is one of a hundred similar Open Streets to transform busy towns across America. The purpose is not only to spur local business and keep money in the community, but also to foster increased usage of self-powered transportation.
The Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District and Greater Hyannis Chamber of Commerce have a hand in the effort. They started Open Streets last fall on two separate Sundays. The most recent one, on October 23rd, 2016, was well-attended with about 5,000 people. The first one drew in 7,000.
That day provided performances from Polka Dan’s Beatbox Band, John Redden, Brian Saunces, and a Cape-based Jazz band. Hyannis breakfast institution The Dailey Paper brought the joe, Pizza Barbone brought the pie, and Harley Davidson of Cape Cod let people ride their bikes for free.
Open Streets is kind of also an open house in general for the village. Event co-founder Jane at Red Fish Blue Fish says it highlights the livability of downtown Hyannis while also encouraging alternative means of transportation.
By CapeCod.com Staff
