LEBANON – The warm weather is here, and the best place to enjoy the warmth is at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Wednesday, May 25. That’s when kids and families can take their bicycles and ride a few laps around the iconic NASCAR track in the annual Dale Jr. Foundation Safe Kids 301, presented by Speedway Children’s Charities.

The event is a bike safety celebration hosted by the Dartmouth Health Children’s Injury Prevention Center and Speedway Children’s Charities at NHMS.

“Our goal with the Dale Jr. Foundation Safe Kids 301 event is simple – to provide an opportunity for children of all ages to practice and learn bicycling skills in a safe and fun environment,” said Injury Prevention Center Coordinator James Esdon. “Thanks to our partnership with New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Speedway Children’s Charities, Dartmouth Health Children’s has been planning and running this free event for more than 15 years.”

The track will be open from 5 to 7 pm to all kids and adults who love to ride their bikes, and the event is free of charge to all participants. When families are at the track, they can visit vendors who have several activities and exhibits to promote healthy habits. There will be free helmet checks, bike-safety inspections with S&W Sports and free helmets for children who need one.

“Long-time supporters like Golden Cross Ambulance, S&W Sports and Hannaford, along with a host of volunteers, provide vital services that allow us to continue this tradition year after year,” said Esdon.

Vendors and activities include:

S&W Sports – bike safety checks

U.S. Forest Service and Smokey the Bear

New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s Office and its mascot, Sparky

Buckle-Up New Hampshire & Teen Driver Safety with Dartmouth Health Children’s Injury Prevention Center

Golden Cross Ambulance

EMS for Children – Touch-a-truck ambulance and teddy bear clinic

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Trauma Program

Elliot Hospital – helmet safety checks

Hannaford – snacks and water

Drowning prevention station

Granite State Pro Stock Late Model – race car

Well Sense

NH Healthy Families – FREE bike raffle

NH Office of Highway Safety

The Kennek Foundation

NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Ready the Prepared Puppy

Girl Scouts of America

Additional information can be found at www.CHaDKids.org or by clicking here.

The Injury Prevention Center is part of Dartmouth Health’s Population Health Division and aims to keep kids safe across New Hampshire. Injury Prevention operates many programs, including car seat and seat belt safety, and initiatives to reduce falls and sports and recreation injuries. The full array of Injury Prevention programs is available at CHaDKids.org/injury-prevention.

The Dale Jr. Foundation Safe Kids 301 is a free event. More information can be found on the Dartmouth-Hitchcock events page or www.speedwaycharities.org/events/#newhampshire.