The September installment of Somerville’s SomerStreets festival,“Strike Up the Bands,” took place on Sunday, September 19, on Highland Avenue. SomerStreets is the City’s take on the internationally renowned Open Streets concept, closing busy city streets to vehicles and opening them up for cycling, walking, dancing, running, and other modes of activity.

Through SomerStreets, the city and its community partners aim to promote and encourage easy access to physical activity, fresh foods, and reconnecting with neighborhoods and businesses and their unique cultural elements in a thriving urban environment.

There were two stages of music curated by Arts at the Armory and ONCE Somerville. Activities along Highland Avenue included local craft vendors, aerial performances by Esh Circus Arts, parkour with Parkour Generations Boston, activities and games with Somerville Recreation, Wash Away Your Fears Community Project with Illegal Art, explore a fire truck and ambulance, Community vendors and local businesses including 7ate9 Bakery, Pop-up hoola hoop performers and more.