The city of San José hosted the annual Viva Calle event for bikers, skaters, joggers and more on Sept. 10.
The Viva Calle event was between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Various streets were closed to accommodate the event.
Some parts of the streets remained open to the public like San Fernando Street and Tenth Street to avoid creating traffic during the event.
Japantown, Tamien Park and Kelley Park hosted activities for the community including photo booths, food vendors and various informational sessions.
Catalena Oropeza, a teacher at a child development center at San José State who lives in Japantown, came to the event with her child.
“It's been really awesome,” Oropeza said. “I feel like this one Viva Calle has had such a good turnout. Sometimes I feel like there's not as many people but I was, like, it's cool to see so many people. We've even seen a friend already just randomly come by too.”
In Japantown, there were resources for the community to learn about the city. There was information regarding conserving water and small businesses.
There was also a San José Sharks inflatable slapshot game and a live band.
On East San Carlos Street, Volunteers also handed out water bottles and wind spinner flowers while a DJ performed.
There was a professional wrestling performance in the center of South First Street and East William Street.
Children were also able to ride their bikes with their parents to explore the city.
Local massage therapist Lisa Hill-Pierce said coming out and riding a bike in the streets of San José is a great way to network and familiarize herself with the city.
“I like the feeling that my kids can just ride their bikes or scooters, or roller skates and not worry about cars,” Pierce said. “It often takes us to parts of the city [where] we don't normally ride our bikes.”
At Tamien Park, there were many people who had the opportunity to learn about the park. There were food trucks, staff employees giving out T-shirts and photo booths.
Yesenia Guzman is the administrative specialist for the student success unit, supporting Chicanx/Latinx Students Success Center at SJSU.
Guzman said she wished she would have found out about the event sooner because she would have participated.
She thinks having this event is one of the best ways to bring the community together and have the opportunity to have bikes, scooters and many non-engine vehicles out on the streets.
“I think it's a great event,” Guzman said. “I think it's very wholesome and it unites the community in SGA and those who visit to spend the day riding their bikes being recreational, with their neighbors and their families. I think it's a great way to also explore the city of San José more.”
