Was the Pierre Lallement Festival of Bikes a success? Oui!

Since I covered several of the planning meetings for the second annual Pierre Lallement Festival of Bikes in Ansonia I must say I was geared up for it.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.
  

Some of the folks who pedaled from the New Haven Green to downtown Ansonia.

Onlookers cheer their arrival.

On Sunday the months of hard work and planning by members of the Economic Development Commission and the Cultural Commission paid off.

Vinnie Scarlata, chairman of the Economic Development Commission, said he was pleased with how the festival turned out. "We achieved what we wanted to achieve," he said. "We planted our flag. We are the home of the bicycle."

Lallement, a Frenchman, was living in Ansonia in 1865 when he invented the pedal bicycle, for which he received a patent.

The festival featured live entertainment by the FB Lilly Band, activities for children, bike demos, obstacle courses, and food.

Three eighth graders read their winning essays about Lallement. The Ansonia Historical Commission sponsored an essay contest and the students were awarded cash prizes.

Ansonia Middle School eighth grader Ryan Amato reads his essay, "Ride of the Wooden Horse."

Assumption School eighth grader Raymond Hagan's essay said Lallement drew crowds anxious to see him pedal the invention.

 Assumption School eighth grader Adam Derbyshire also wrote about Lallement's two-wheeled "contraption."

This lad on an antique bicycle looks like he wants to join the boys on the sidewalk.

I enjoyed myself at the festival and am looking forward to an even bigger event next year.

Did you attend the event? What are your thoughts?