Bright orange paint and multiple orange cones were strategically placed in an area at the front of Tower Park Saturday morning.
Children of all ages took turns following the lines and swerving past each cone. A stop sign and railroad crossing required each child to stop and look both ways.
This was the scene at the annual Logansport Police Department Bicycle Rodeo.
Assistant Police Chief Mike Morphet said the main goal of the event was to remind local children about safety habits when riding a bicycle this summer.
“It’s about having a safe summer,” he said. “It’s important to ingrain public safety into their heads.”
The event started nine years ago and has developed into a tradition, enjoyed by both by the children and those helping out.
Officers George Franklin and Mike Neher coordinate the event each year, with the help of several volunteers from the police and fire departments.
Police Chief A.J. Rozzi thought the event went well this year. He said it was a good opportunity for the Logansport police and fire departments to interact with the community.
“We can show we are here to keep the kids safe,” he said.
Officer Danny Farris was pleased with the turnout, but admitted the crowd was somewhat smaller than previous years. This year’s rodeo brought out 185 boys and girls.
Hayli Ogle took her two daughters, six-year-old Tishadequea and 18-month-old Noah, and her four-year-old son Nassaven, for the first time this year. She said the location was convenient since the family lived only two blocks away.
“I saw an advertisement for it a month ago and thought it would be one of the first fun summer events we could all do,” Hayli said.
Tishadequea’s favorite part of the rodeo was riding her bicycle through the course. Hayli said the training was beneficial. She also liked the idea of the bicycle and helmet raffles.
In all, the police department gave away 100 helmets and 16 bicycles.
Jane Williams took her daughter, Allie Williams, 9, and her friend, Madison Brown, 9. Susie Dickerson and her granddaughter, Lena Dickerson, 10, also came along.
It was Lena’s first time to attend the bicycle rodeo, and she had high hopes of winning a bicycle.
“I was anxious,” she said. “It’s fun to be anxious, but not fun when you don’t win.”
Even though she did not win, Lena enjoyed the opportunity to sit in one of the police cars.
Allie and Madison were both excited to go swimming afterward, since each participating child earned a free pass to the swimming pool.
Allie said she even learned something new.
“We learned what to do if we have to go over a railroad track,” she said. “We need to stop and look to see if a train is coming.”
The Logansport Fire Department had its smoke house available for children to climb through, while a group of police department employees served hot dogs and soft drinks.
Rozzi said he hoped the lessons would stick.
“Every little bit helps,” he said. “The last thing we want to hear is an accident with a kid involved while we are on patrol.”
• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com
Bicycle winners
• Katlyn Osborne
• Noe Loran
• Brittney Helvie
• Isai Loran
• Thila Castro
• Michael Lorenso
• Erika Serna
• William Stokes
• Ana Loranzo
• Evan Ulery
• Angel Moss
• Ben Rogers
• Alexus Montine
• Jose Salas
• Erin Ulery
• Cooper Smith
Photo Gallery: Click here to see a photo gallery
Local News
Officers provide lessons in bicycle safety
<b>Logansport Police Department hosts annual rodeo</b>
- Local News
-
-
County ambulance talks continue
Cass County officials met with another private firm last week as they explore which way to go with the county’s obligation to provide ambulance service.
-
City to consider reducing tipping fee
Logansport City Council members plans to discuss decreasing the amount the city receives in tipping fees from Oak Ridge Recycling and Disposal Facility at a special meeting tonight.
-
Caston officials discussing $2 million in capital projects
Caston School Corp. officials are eyeing a new bus barn and parking lots as they consider spending about $2 million on capital projects.
-
The state option: Local educators unsure of impacts of ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana last week received a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind act, but local superintendents say the move may just swap one rigid set of guidelines for another without addressing educators’ frustrations.
-
Filings in: Three Republican primaries
Cass County Republicans will cast ballots in three races in the May 8 primary, while Democrats will vote on who to send to the state convention.
-
Logansport officials: Wireless plan not dead
Logansport City Council members last week nixed funding of a $850,000 wireless project approved late last year, but officials say the project is not completely off the radar.
-
Miami County officials say they knew of company’s past issues
Reports that a Texas-based company owed more than $500,000 in back taxes, was behind on its rent and had an executive indicted surfaced about a year before corporate leaders began discussing an expansion to Miami County.
-
Dean Baldwin’s past includes tax payment problems, indictment of executive
An aircraft service provider expanding to Miami County had a blur of bad publicity a few years before announcing its plans to come to the area.
-
Principal: Lewis Cass student attacked with piece of wood
A Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School freshman remained hospitalized Friday after being attacked by a classmate with a piece of wood, the school’s principal said.
-
Dancing with dad: 185 fathers and daughters take to dance floor
Robert Kesling remembers eight years ago when he swooped his daughter Anna off her feet and swayed on the dance floor with the young lady that makes his heart melt.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County ambulance talks continue
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
