In its Second Year, Second Sunday extends to 105 Ky. counties
Though it is only the second anniversary of Second Sunday, a grassroots effort that Councilman Jay McChord initiated last year to get communities out on their feet and moving, the event has quickly grown into a full-blown statewide health and fitness initiative. Over 100 counties have jumped on board to participate with their own schedules of independently organized activities for this year's event, which takes place the second Sunday of October (Oct.11). The event is distinguished by closing off a portion of downtown streets to automobile traffic, and opening the door in return to community-friendly physical activities of all kinds.
McChord, who has partnered with Diana Doggett of the Fayette County Extension Office and UK Healthcare, was inspired to start Second Sunday after hearing a talk given at a bike summit by keynote speaker Gil PeÒalosa, the former Parks director of Bogot·, Colombia. Bogot· pulled off a similar and highly successful event a number of years back.
"[PeÒalosa] said that a number of years ago, Bogot· was in the same shape that Kentucky is in now - poor health of their citizenry, and no money to fix it," McChord said. City officials opted for a simple step toward making a difference - they closed downtown roads to car traffic for the four Sundays one month. They invited the community to come out and bike, blade, walk, push a stroller, anything to get them outside on their feet, and they were stunned when upwards of 400,000 people came out.
"Imagine how much it would cost to build nadatoriums and soccer fields and tennis courts sufficient to get that many people exercising at the same time," said McChord, who has become the city's de facto "health and fitness guy" over the past few years, with his involvement in rallying for mixed-use trails throughout the city. "All we've got to do is get the cars off the road."
"We're not reinventing anything," he added. "We're using something we already have, and trying to get as many of our friends to come out and enjoy this."
Last year, over 12,000 people in more than 70 counties across the state participated in Second Sunday; 2,500 people in Lexington alone. With all but 15 of Kentucky's 120 counties hosting Second Sunday events this year, those numbers are all expected to climb significantly. Governor Beshear has declared an official proclamation for Second Sunday, and has commented on the potential for the event to become a national model for health and fitness.
Disallowing automobile use on one of the city's most traveled thoroughfares is green in its own right, but McChord hopes the event will have further reaching green implications as well - casting the state of Kentucky in a different light with such a the high-profile event opens up the door for further funding opportunities that could be used to implement permanent trail structures throughout the state.
"What's great about Second Sunday is there's no 'Rs and no 'Ds; no 'rurals' and no 'urbans'; there's no Cats and no Cards, there's no CentrePointe versus Not-CentrePointe - we're just coming out here doing something as Lexingtonians or as Kentuckians," McChord said. "That's what's cool for me to watch."
Main and Short Streets will be closed between Mill and Deweese Streets from 2 - 6 p.m. Oct. 11. The event will feature an inflatable fun park, live music, martial arts, group cycling, yoga, bike polo, volleyball, a rock-climbing wall, dog walks, Spanish Zumba and many other activities. Bring a Frisbee, bicycle, tennis racket, basketball, or just your comfortable shoes.
Bluegrass PRIDE has initiated a goal to make the event entirely litter free. You are encouraged to bring a reusable container for drinking, and be on the look out for recycling containers.
Green expo keeps growing
As interest in green living has grown in the Bluegrass, so has The Bluegrass Green Expo - since its beginnings in 2004, attendance has inflated about 20 percent a year, estimates Ben Perry, director of Bluegrass Greenworks, the Lexington non-profit behind the event. Last year, over 2,000 attendees from central Kentucky came out for the event, which features a trade show, kids expo, workshops, renewable energy exhibitors, and "Sustainability Street" - a model green streetscape equipped with model homes, gardens and vehicles.
Perry said the event is geared toward the general public and industry members alike, with the primary focus being within 40 miles of Lexington.
"When we originally conceptualized it, we were thinking we would open the event to be more regional," Perry said. "Then we began to realize we would be better served by creating a template that can be dropped in other areas."
The Bluegrass Green Expo (formerly the Bluegrass Green Energy Expo) has since spawned events in Owensboro, Richmond, Nashville and parts of Ohio.
New features to this year's event include Sun Space, a "green" artists area, featuring works crafted by local artists. Slow Food Bluegrass, a group dedicated to promoting growers and producers of "good, clean and fair food products," will also be on hand with cooking demonstrations featuring local chefs, local products and free samples.
Workshops for the general public this year include Green Cleaning (Sunday at 3 p.m.), Green Burials (Saturday at 3 p.m.; Sunday at 1 p.m.), Socially Responsible Investing (Sunday at 3 p.m.) and Retrofitting Homes for Energy Efficiency (Sunday at 1 p.m.).
In addition to activities for the general public, the 2009 Green Expo will also feature new green living and green building workshop tracks for both architects and educators, led by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Kentucky Environmental Education Commission.
Founded on Earth Day last year, Bluegrass Greenworks Inc. (BGI) seeks to create a world-class green community in Lexington, one that will drive healthy community development, sustainable economic growth and an overall exceptional quality of life.
Free and open to the public. For a list of events and schedule times, visit www.bluegrassgreenworks.org.
Additional Green Events in October
Lexington Fayette Solar Tour. Oct. 3. Bus tour traveling to six interesting solar installations showcasing both solar, thermal and solar PV. Literature and Q&A available while on the bus. Tour will depart from Solar Energy Solutions (832 Nandino Blvd.) at 9 a.m. Call (859) 351-5327 to reserve a seat.
Kentucky Premiere of "Coal Country." Oct. 7. The acclaimed movie "Coal Country" will have its Kentucky premiere at the Kentucky Theatre. Preceded by an optional dinner with special guests Jean Ritchie, Silas House and Kathy Mattea. This is a fundraiser for Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and the Kentucky Sierra Club. Showing at 7:30 p.m. For more information or tickets, visit www.kentuckysierraclub.org.
Multifaith Panel Discussion: How Can Our Faiths Help Us Act Individually and Together for the Environment? Oct. 8. Developing last year's well-attended discussion, this event brings together panelists from a variety of perspectives: Bob Ernst, Plowshares Farm Center for Education and Spirituality; Dr. Suleiman Darratt, professor of Islamic Studies at UK; Rabbi Uriel Smith; Emeritus Rabbi of Ohavay Zion Synagogue; professor Aloma Dew, Sierra Club representative and former chair of the Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission. 7 - 9 p.m. Lexington Theology Seminary Fellowship Hall, 631 S. Limestone.
"Naturally Chic" Lexington's First Eco-Friendly Interior Designer Showcase. Oct. 20 - 25. Capacity Inc., a local organization geared at empowering women, and Lorillard Lofts will host Lexington's first eco-friendly interior designer showcase. Showcasing their signature style, local designers will transform seven lofts into healthy, eco-friendly environmental spaces for the home, each housing a different theme. Participants include Boo Blakey, Environmental DÈcor; Kerry Crosby and Chad Salyers, Ethan Allen; Greg Feeney and Jeff Perkins, Scout Antiques and More; and Sherry and Jessica Piersol, Urban Sanctuary. Tickets available online. Lorillard Lofts, 201 Price Road. (859) 583-8007. www.capacityinc.org.
Bluegrass Green Breakfast. Oct. 23. The Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community will host a breakfast in conjunction with the LFUCG Environmental Commission Awards. Keynote speakers include Ben Chandler and Mayor Jim Newberry. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by Oct. 15. 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Lexington Downtown Hotel, 369 West Vine St. (859) 257-3780. www.bluegrasspartnership.org.