All the fun of the rodeo comes to town during the Union Junction Jamboree (UJJ) on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in historic downtown Union Point. Only this rodeo is for kids, it’s on bikes and it‘s all about safety. This is the latest craze to help children learn bike safety and all the health benefits of riding a bike. Paul Quick of Athens, a certified member of the League of American Bicyclists, will lead the 45-minute workshop on safe bike riding.

The  instructional workshops were started to help educate children and parents about the safety aspects riding a bicycle on streets and roads. The goal is to empower young cyclists with a minimal set of skills for on-road riding. It will also focus on the health aspect which is important considering Georgia’s childhood obesity rate is the third highest in the nation.

All children must be registered for the safety workshop and their parents must sign the consent form before the event. All entrants must bring their own bikes and helmets. Registration forms will be handed out at all Greene County Schools. They are also available at the Union Point City Hall week days and at Rhodes Sports Corner or The Point of Art Gallery in downtown Union Point on weekends.

All bikes will be checked and there will be a mechanic on hand to assist with any defects where possible.

On Wednesday, Sept. 22, United Healthcare is promoting a “Get in Gear”  day at Union Point Elementary to teach important healthy lifestyle skills. All the children who attend that event are encouraged to continue with the bike safety instruction workshop at the UJJ.

Registration  of the program starts at 8:30 a.m. The safety workshop starts at 9 a.m. The annual three-mile ride is still taking place with the start at 10:30 a.m. All children taking part in this, with their parents consent, must also have their own bikes and helmets.

The Union Junction jamboree is a free fun-filled day for the whole family and acts as a fundraiser for the Union Point Better Hometown program. The focus of this years Jamboree is a very good cause – to help raise funds to upgrade the electrical system and fire safety requirements for the historic Union Theater. For more information, call Selman (706) 486-4128.