MANSFIELD — Children descended upon North Lake Park on Saturday for the annual Bike-A-Palooza.

Hosted by the Mansfield Division of Police, this free family festival offers a variety of fun activities for youngsters to enjoy, including a bicycle safety rodeo, bike ride with Mansfield police officers, face painting, bounce houses, bike raffle, basketball and more.

Mansfield mom Stephanie Andrews brought her three children to event.

“This is probably at least the third year that we’ve come,” she said. “They love to get to ride the bikes. They love to be on the bounce houses, of course, and then they’re always hopeful to win a bike.”

Her six-year-old son Zion won a bicycle last year, she said.

Every child who registers at the event receives a free helmet.

Members of Richland Moves were on hand to give free bicycle repairs.

“We just come down and try to get as many bikes up and running and serviceable as we can,” said Mike Solon, Richland Moves advocate.

Just a couple hours into the event, they had already serviced 22 bicycles.

In addition to participating in Bike-A-Palooza, Richland Moves sponsors the Slow Roll bike rides and assists with the Just Walk Richland program, Solon said.

“We do various things in the community oriented towards getting people out and active,” he said.

From the bicycles to the bounce houses, Saturday’s event left many children smiling.

That’s one of the things Mansfield Officer Ron Barnes enjoys the most about Bike-A-Palooza.

“I just enjoy being out in the public, seeing the kids happy when they win a bike and seeing everybody enjoy themselves,” he said.

Sergeant Jon Ahles was quick to thank all those who helped make the event a success.

“We want to thank all of the agencies that stepped forward because without their help it wouldn’t be what it is now,” he said.

Community partners include North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Bankz Salon, City of Mansfield Parks and Recreation Department, PAL, Richland County Youth & Family Council, NAACP Mansfield branch, JPB Professional Marketing, FOP Lodge #32, FOPA Lodge #70, Lexington Moose 2511, Richland Outreach Center, We ACT, Ohio State Reformatory, Richland Moves, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, Linden Road Presbyterian Church and Crossroads City Center.