Lancaster Announces Exciting “Walk N Roll Fest,” Transforming Downtown into a Car-Free Haven

LANCASTER, CA. July 25, 2023 — On September 16, bike, roll, bus, scooter, skate, rollerblade, or stroll down to The BLVD to experience downtown Lancaster as a safe, car-free space at Lancaster’s Walk N Roll Fest. The festival, made possible with funding from the City’s community partner, Metro, will open up 8 blocks of Lancaster streets to non-vehicular traffic and feature music, info booths, entertainment, food, family fun, and much more.

Walk N Roll Fest is an excellent opportunity for the community to reimagine their streets while walking, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, or pushing a stroller in a car-free environment. The goals of the event are to encourage sustainable modes of transportation (bicycling, walking, and transit), provide an opportunity to take public transit for the first time, and provide an opportunity for civic engagement.

“Our City boasts a great stretch of shops and community resources along The BLVD,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “You can gain a whole new appreciation for downtown while exploring it outside of your car. Plus, Walk N Roll Fest is a great excuse to travel by bus to get to the event—I’m particularly proud that our local provider, Antelope Valley Transit Authority, is the first all-electric transit agency in North America!”

Community members can get involved in Walk N Roll Fest by participating in all of the planned activities organized across various hubs, volunteering at the event, or simply enjoying the vehicle-free streets. We are also accepting applications for vendors and event sponsors. Since this is a car-free event, vendors will experience plenty of perks, such as direct engagement with potential customers, immediate feedback on products, increased community visibility, and bolstered community engagement. Application information is available at www.cityoflancasterca.gov/walknroll. Vendors must apply by the August 4 deadline, and sponsors must register before August 18.

If you live in the area of the Walk N Roll Fest, keep an eye out for postings about parking and route restrictions. Because the festival is an open streets event, select roadways will be closed to all vehicles. No street parking will be allowed; vehicles parked on the route of the festival will be towed. If you have any questions about the upcoming street closures, contact the City of Lancaster PARCS Department at 661-723-6077, and learn more about the event at www.cityoflancasterca.gov/walknroll.