KALAMAZOO (Mich.)-One of the most beautiful weekends this summer looked even better along the Kalamazoo River Valley trail. On July 16, dozens of families and friends took advantage of the scenery along with face-painting, magic tricks, family photos and more during the 1st annual Mascot Day on the Trail. From 9 a.m. to noon area residents walked, biked or jogged through the trail’s eight special stops. Those who began at the Mayors River Park entrance of the trail received stamps at each spot to make them eligible to win one of three bikes in a raffle.
According to Kyle Lewis, coordinator of the event, Mascot on the Trail was an opportunity to share what the trail has to offer with those who may not have witnessed the new expansions. The trail also was an opportunity for those who had never been on it, to have fun and special treats along the way to encourage future visits.
Tamala Smith and her daughter, Mia Wilson, 5, said the event was their first time on the trail.
“I’m trying to prepare to enter 5Ks and other events, and this is a good start for me,” Smith said. “I also want to get on the right path of health for my daughter and make it fun.”
Joe and Noralyn Pridgeon and their sons, Andrew, 10, and Mitchell, 3, also were first-time trail visitors who decided to bike the trail and take advantage of the shuttle service which was offered to return participants to the starting point.
“This is our first time on the trail and I had never noticed there was a golf course here,” said Joe of Red Arrow golf course which is part of the scenery along the trail.
Kathy Schultz and her children Amanda, 1, Thomas, 5 and William, 8, frequent the trail along the 10th street entrance and had never been on the trail downtown.
“We’d thought we’d venture out and see what the trail is like over here and we like it,” Schultz said.
Along with magic tricks, face painting, pictures and balloon making, some of Michigan’s most famous mascots were on hand to add more cool to the warm day. They were on hand to greet, take pictures with or just hugs to trail goers.
“This is a really nice family-friendly event,” said Eric Birko who walked the trail along with his wife, Nicole and children Grace, 3 and Alissa, 4 months.
“We both work here in Kalamazoo and will tell our co-workers about it. We will come back,” said Eric.
Kalamazoo River Valley Trail will encompass 35 miles of trail throughout Kalamazoo County once complete. Kalamazoo will be a regional hub, connecting Battle Creek to Lake Michigan; D Avenue to Portage; and eventually Lake Michigan to Lake Huron, according to trail official. This trail along with those in other nearby cities will connect more than 140 miles of trail which will connect Battle Creek’s Linear Park, Kal-Haven Trail and Portage’s Bicentennial Park Trail.
For more information on future Kalamazoo River Valley Trail events, visit www.kalcounty.com/parks/krvt
