SIDS Walk returns for 6th year to Cedartown in mid-October

A couple of changes are in store for the 6th Annual SIDS Walk this year, but the mission remains the same as local organizers hope to raise awareness and bring people together on a mission to help ensure that infants get a chance at a full life.

The event this year is scheduled for Saturday, October 12 – slightly earlier than the normal schedule – and instead of closing the street for the festival after, it’ll be making a move as part of the city’s overall strategy to move block parties to parking lots.

Earlier this summer, SIDS Walk founder Neidra Chubb asked for permission from the city to continue the annual event and allow for a temporary shutdown of Main Street for the brief trek from Ideal Bakery to Holloway Park starting at 1 p.m.

Instead of hosting the block party while Main Street remains closed, the city instead asked Chubb to take over the parking lot off Herbert Street. Following that agreement, the city granted her request and the event is moving forward.

The move of the block party will allow Main Street to reopen not long after the walk concludes, and organizers will have an area to themselves for the rest of the day. The state Department of Transportation controls how long or whether they will allow shutdown of Main Street for extended periods, since the stretch of North Main Street from one end of the bypass to the other are all part of a state highway.

The city’s concern was due to forthcoming bridge work on North Main Street closing down a portion of the street already and the detour to come, GDOT would unlikely grant a request for a shutdown of Main Street through downtown for an extended period for a block party.

City officials also are moving away from using Main Street as the central area for prolonged shutdowns with one exception – the annual Fall Festival – and utilize parking lots that are city owned and controlled for events being hosted in downtown areas.

Block party planning is already well underway for the SIDS Walk. On Monday, Mom’s United put out information about vendor and food truck spots available for those who want to setup during the festival.

Fees are $100 for food trucks, and $45 for vendors. Fees go toward supporting Mom’s United, who annually organizes the event.

This year also brings a $5 wristband for cocktails being made available – for 21 and up only. The block party in the Herbert Street parking lot will begin at noon and run until 4 p.m.

The annual SIDS Walk, program and party after are all kid-friendly as well.

Following the walk, a program will be held in Holloway Park recognizing those who have suffered losses from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and give voice to infants whose lives were cut short too soon.

Those interested in the annual walk can learn more at the Mom’s United Facebook page.

The post SIDS Walk returns for 6th year to Cedartown in mid-October appeared first on Polk Today .