Bike and Lights

For One Night Only, Cyclists Can Ride Through Popular Festival of Lights Attraction

For 35 years, Watkins Regional Park, a park facility operated by M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County has hosted the Winter Festival of Lights, an attraction that allows for people to enjoy lights, decorations and music while driving through the park during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. For the first time, the park located in Largo will allow those who want a closer experience to jump on a bike and ride through the Winter Festival of Lights for ‘Bike and Lights’ on Sunday, November 21; 5-8 p.m.. Riding through the park at night to celebrate the magic of the holiday season might be the best way to enjoy the lights.

There’s a new entrance to enter the park this year. Bike and Lights participants who are there to bike through the park are only allowed entrance from the Capital Beltway, I-495, Exit 17A on to Route 202 and Largo Road. Cyclists arriving will be directed to a parking lot where cyclists can park their vehicles and get their bikes ready for the 3-mile tour of whimsical lights displaying more than 2.5 million LED lights throughout the park and a giant, 54-foot LED musical tree.

For safety, bike lights and helmets are required. No vehicles will be allowed to drive-thru the park. This event is for bikes only and is family friendly. The region has seen an uptick in residents cruising bikes through parks and trails. To welcome cyclists in a safe environment, Troy Sibila, park

coordinator at Watkins Regional Park said this pilot program will welcome 500 people and will include bike safety and instructions before each participant takes off. “We really want to see how this goes this year. Next year, we hope to partner with local bike groups,” Sibila said.

Cyclists can bring a canned good to donate to local food banks. Registration is required and is $5/per person. Visit here: https://web1.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/mdpgparkswt.wsc/search.html?module=PST&fmid=148712369