Arts & Entertainment
End Of An Era: Royal Oak Hosts Bike Rodeo Ahead Of Transformation
Organizers say the Bike Rodeo, featuring talent on BMX bikes and rollerblades, will be the last memories made in this part of downtown.

ROYAL OAK, MI — Royal Oak is hosting a Downtown Bike Rodeo to help launch the new development in the area. The free event will take place 6-9 p.m. May 11 at the south side of the Williams Street lot in front of Royal Oak City Hall. Kid-friendly activities, a food drive, music and a half-pipe are all planned festivities.
The event helps to kick off the new development of a two-acre public park, police station, City Hall, six-story office building and parking structure. The city has called the project “Rethink Royal Oak” and over the next two years the project will transform the downtown area of the city.
At the launch party, Royal Oak business Modern Skate will be featuring a half-pipe where talent will demo BMX bikes, skateboards, scooters and rollerblades. KLM Bike & Fitness will be onsite with bikes to test ride and accessories to purchase to celebrate National Bike Month.
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Oakland County’s Retro Games Mobile Unit will offer free sack races, egg-and-spoon relays, tug-o-war ropes, kickball and more. The event will round out with a food drive to benefit the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive hosted by The United States Post Office.
Royal Oak's new mascot, named "Romi" (like Royal Oak, MI), will make his big debut at the event.
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The city says these will be the last memories made where the development is set to take place.
Image via Shutterstock
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