By admin 
HOLLYWOOD (KABC) — On the heels of a Ciclavia event this past Sunday in Leimert Park, organizers have already been gearing up for the next event, later this month. The community outreach team went door-to-door in Hollywood, getting the word out.
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“We open up the streets up to pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, walkers and runners and we close them off completely off to cars,” said Gigi Martinez, the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for Ciclavia.
The upcoming event is called “Meet the Hollywoods,” closing streets down from Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood to Hollywood and Highland in the heart of Hollywood, all the way to Hillhurst in East Hollywood.
“There is no participation fee, no registration. Anybody can join and participate anywhere along the route. So the sense of community and the opportunities to engage with your community are almost infinite at the event,” said Martinez.
That’s why the community outreach team is speaking to businesses, hoping they take advantage of the street traffic and activate their sidewalks.
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“We’re speaking of tens of thousands of participants attending the event. We of course want small businesses to come outside and connect with all the people that are stopping by,” she said.
They’re also speaking to people who live nearby, hoping they take advantage of this opportunity to connect – on the open streets, something that’s been a thing here in LA for almost 16 years now.
“To be able to feel that community connection, especially in a city like L.A. That is very just mobile and very fast-paced,” said Martinez.
The event is Sunday July 19th from 9am to 4pm. This year, there are only four confirmed Ciclavia events on the calendar. There aren’t as many because of funding, so they’re hoping that eventually turns around so they can offer more events throughout the year.
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