Kids Pan Mass Challenge Coming To Westwood

On June 23, Westwood’s Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) Kids Ride will take place for the twelfth time. It will begin at Martha Jones Elementary School. The Kids PMC is for ages 3-15.

“It’s a great community event for kids,” says coordinator Sara Mirson, who praises “her great team of volunteers,” for getting entertainment and sponsors. Among the kids’ entertainment will be Massachusetts’ National Arena Football team the Massachusetts Pirates, who will have players, dancers, and their mascot Arthur there. Landry’s will conduct bike tune-ups and helmet checks for riders. Yasso and PowerCrunch are going to offer samples. Music will be provided by Mark from Happy Time DJ, whom Mirson praises as “the first person to set up and the last one to go home.”

There are three routes which riders may choose: Allisa's Ride (1 mile) for ages 3-7, Five for Fighting (5 miles) for ages 8-12 who can ride safely on streets with cars, and Westwood Strong (10 miles) for ages 10-15. Registration fee is $25, with a $30 minimum fundraising goal. ‘47 will offer a $20 coupon to registered riders.

All donations raised by the PMC Kids Ride go directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “It’s great to see the kids get so excited [about charity],” praises Mirson. She notes many children have either known a child or adult with cancer, and some are fundraising in honor of family members.