PUBLISHED: May 24, 2022 By Ruthie Miller

Last weekend Houstonians came together to celebrate the first annual Art Bike Parade and Festival at MacGregor Park, along Brays Bayou Greenway, in Fonde Park, and at Smither Park. The event — which drew students from 89 schools, as well as riders of all ages — was organized by Houston Parks Board, the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, and Houston Independent School District.

 After initially planning the event for the spring of 2020, we were thrilled to get it back on the calendar this year and go big. More than 2,000 people joined us at MacGregor Park, all jazzed to wander among the spectacular art bikes, take advantage of free snow cones and games, and dance to sounds from a live DJ. As the first of what will become an annual event, we couldn’t have asked for better buzz, attendance, or partners. In fact, we met and heard from families across Houston who are already talking about their bikes for next year!

CHECK OUT THE FANTASTIC PHOTOS BELOW!

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR FEARLESS ART BIKE JUDGES. DECIDING THE WINNERS WAS CERTAINLY NOT AN EASY CHOICE, BUT WE WERE PROUD TO HAND OUT $500 GIFT CARDS FOR ART SUPPLIES TO 10 HISD SCHOOLS THAT WON ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: 

You Call This School Spirit?

Repurpose with a Purpose

Colorfully Artsy

Biking Up STEAM

It’s Alive!

Crowd Favorite

We Made THIS Bike

To Bike or Not To Bike

Imagination Station

Recognize the Size

Bastian Elementary

Ray Daily Elementary / Brenda Perez

Love Elementary / Tomas Feijo

Lantrip Elementary / Kate Barrera

Helms Elementary / Sharon George-Rios

Braeburn Elementary / Rosa Padilla

Benbrook Elementary / Judy Fang

Heights High School / Anthony White

S.C. Red Elementary / Devin Venters

Burbank Elementary / Christine McPeters

WE ALSO HANDED OUT 3 COMMUNITY AWARDS!

Wow The Crowd: Cody Hovland

Spirit of Movement: Slow Soul

Orange Award for the bike that best represents the first ever Art Bike Parade and Festival:  Flying Flamingoes

WHAT A DAY WE HAD AT HOUSTON’S FIRST ART BIKE PARADE AND FESTIVAL. WE HOPE YOU’LL JOIN US NEXT YEAR!

Houston Parks Board is a nonprofit that works to connect all Houstonians through equitable access to greenspaces. Learn more on our website or connect with us on TwitterFacebookInstagram, and LinkedIn.