Laughter rang out as children pedaled around a chalked track at The Loop during the Kiwanis Club of Methuen’s 5th annual Bike Rodeo and Community Fair.

The purpose of event is to raise awareness about bicycle-related injuries, allow children to test their bicycle-handling skills and encourage increased helmet use by children of all ages.

Kids tested their bike skills on a course in a safe designated area set up by Mass Safe Routes to School, who volunteered their time to ensure all who took part were coached in proper safety practices. Handling skills include braking without skidding, walking bikes through crosswalks, waiting at stop signs and traffic lights, and ensuring helmets are properly fitted. In addition to 10 new bikes being raffled off, last month’s event offered the opportunity for children to be properly fitted with free helmets if they had their own bicycle.

American Entertainment provided bounce houses and games along with costumed Paw Patrol characters Chase the police pup and Marshall the fire pup. Methuen Fire and Police also had a touch-a-truck event that had children climbing into the fire trucks and police cars along with a SWAT truck. The Police Department also had a special appearance of their community resource comfort dog Ollie and his handler, Officer Kayleigh Forgetta.

Also on hand were KidStrong, which recently opened at The Loop, offering a small workout area for children. Jersey Mike’s provided sandwiches, Raising Cane passed out samples, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and TGI Fridays had cold drinks for the warm day. Other participants included Mass. State Police, AMC Theatre, Pet Well Clinic, Nevins Library, Big Blue Swim, Walmart, One Stop Liquors and Cedar View Rehabilitation.

To learn more about the Kiwanis Club service group, visit methuenkiwanis.org or businesses can attend meetings the first Monday of each month at noon at the Sons of Italy, 459 Merrimack St., Methuen.

Benjamin Percival, 8, enjoyed meeting Ollie, the newest member of the Methuen Police Department, with his handler Officer Kayleigh Forgetta. Ollie, who is still in training, will be the department’s community resource comfort dog.

Aydin Hernandez 6, and Gael Jimenez 7, enjoyed navigating their bikes on the chalked bike track.

Layla Berube, 5, and little sister Georgia, 3, tested their strength by tossing giant tires at the KidStrong exhibit.

Parents and their children lined up at the Kiwanis table to enter bike raffles. Kids with bikes were also fitted for a free helmet.

Could Mateo Diaz (in turret), 10, and little brother Logan (wearing his new bike helmet), 5, be a future SWAT team?