Hyannis Open Streets lets pedestrians take over Main Street in family-friendly event

HYANNIS – Four-year-old Claire and 2-year-old Paige drew a huge hopscotch in the middle of Main Street Sunday morning. They hopped and twirled, drew self-portraits with huge chalk sticks, oblivious to the fact they were taking over a prime traffic lane on one of the Cape’s busiest streets. 

That is one of the joys of Open Streets, when Main Street is closed to all but pedestrian traffic. Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District’s Executive Director Elizabeth Wurfbain says the signature event – one of four annual Open Streets – is a showcase for Cape Cod’s Capital. 

Presented by The Greater Hyannis Civic Association, the Greater Hyannis Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Improvement District, the event is meant to let families stroll the road and sidewalks for nearly half a mile.

Bounce houses, basketball hoops, bands, bubbles

More than 140 shops and 40 restaurants in the historic downtown were ready for the crowds. Tables and chairs were set out on the sidewalks. Flowers were set out, along with sidewalk sale items.

Colorful bounce houses and basketball hoops were there for the kids enjoyment. Eight bands and three DJ’s played music from noon to four. There was face painting, yard games, bubble machines, crafts for kids. It was a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment and family fun. 

Soho owner and member of the Hyannis Open Streets Committee Betsy Young, called the event one of the best things the town does. There’s no agenda, she said, just a day for the community to come out and walk around. 

“People are out smiling, there are free things for the kids, parents have to drag their kids away at 4 p.m,” she said 

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Paulo Paquay, owner of Kandy Korner and Palio’s Pizza echoed her remarks. Paquay had spent hours trying to find the perfect bubble formula so kids could blow huge bubbles in the middle of Main Street. 

“It’s a family-friendly event that showcases the downtown,” he said. “It’s a chance for us to give back to the community for all they do for us.”  

During the pandemic, customers ordered online and take-out food to help local businesses survive, he said.  

“A lot of work goes into it,” said Caroline McKeon, owner of Allium and member of the planning committee.  

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She was behind the counter when Blue the dog, strained to get inside the shop. McKeon is known to offer treats to dogs. She’ll expects more on Sunday when well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcomed. She expected to see 5,000 to 10,000 more people than usual on Sunday.  

Ed Guitton and his friend Allyson O’Neill sat outside Chez Antoine with Ed’s father Herve, a flag with fleurs-de-lis waving in the soft breeze. They sipped on lattes outside the French café where French and Belgian delicacies teased shoppers. O’Neill said they’d come from Harwich for the event after reading about it in the paper.  

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Café owner Antoine Kantor-Vera called the Open Street events some of his busiest days. “There are lines constantly,” he said. “We get a lot of customers.” 

Families will have to wait until September for the next Open Street event. 

“We can’t pull it off in the summer,” Young said.  

Contact Denise Coffey at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT.