This past Saturday Move Redmond hosted the third annual Open Streets Festival and with over 40 community partners, local businesses and entertainers, it was bigger than ever. Even with all of the bubbles, children playing and people talking the streets near Downtown park felt, well surprisingly quiet. As it turns out our streets aren’t loud and stressful because of people, but rather cars. When we remove cars from the street we open up a whole lot of possibilities. People can linger, parents can let small children bike safely, we can dance to the music and connect with neighbors.

Move Redmond’s Open Street Festival is an event that focuses on celebrating the possible. What do we carve out space for when we reallocate parking places? What can happen when we give people information and inspiration to connect with a new community group, to meet a neighbor and chat over a tasty treat?

I hope those things happen, but for me this event is more about the joy that comes from the lived experience of transforming a place for just a few hours. There is power in turning an intersection from a place you go through to a place you choose to stay because your friend is playing music or your favorite Zumba instructor is inspiring you to dance. There is a lot of good that can come when people connect and share ideas. Who knows who was inspired to take action with Eastside for All or get involved with Liveable Kirkland. Who knows who found community through IACS or was inspired to garden with Muddy Boots Farm.

My biggest hope is that the open streets festival leaves people feeling calm, joyful and proud of the many communities they are a part of, deeply rooted to a sense of place. And maybe that momentum and inspiration shifts their perspective just a little bit and who knows what actions that will inspire? The possibilities are endless.

Election day is right around the corner! Every vote carries the power to elect leaders who represent the people’s diverse needs and address critical issues that affect our communities. Voting for city officials is crucial as these public leaders make decisions on issues like education, transportation policies, infrastructure, urban planning, and more that impact our everyday lives.

Move Redmond recently met with Kim Huntress Inskeep, a Seattle-based transportation advocate and founder of Transit Trekker. Huntress Inskeep is creating The Transit Trekker Manual aims to help nondrivers and people who want to drive less have easier access to the outdoors while simultaneously advocating to expand rural and regional transit service.