Summer is off to a good start for Knoxville kids, as they went straight from the end of classes on Friday to a downtown event which was fun, and safe.

Helmets & Hotdogs was conducted in the parking lot next to the Knoxville Fire Department’s station; kids were given a chance to exchange their old, worn-out bicycle helmets for new ones and make sure they are properly fitted.

Greg and Angie Heartsill started this project several years ago to encourage kids to practice bicycle safety, but Greg tells KNIA/KRLS News it has expanded to include safety tips in other areas.

“It started around bike safety and kids making sure they get their helmets (and) wear their helmets when they’re riding their bikes. But we passed out sunscreen, we made sure that kids know their bike safety rules…this being the last day of school here in Knoxville, we want to make sure as kids are getting excited for the summertime that they’re also making sure they’re observing certain safety rules as they’re enjoying their summer,” Heartsill says.

Heartsill says they had more vendors than ever lining the parking lot offering giveaways and safety tips for kids to follow during the summer; they also had a large crowd of kids and parents on hand to begin the summertime right.

Aside from the helmet giveaway, there was a bicycle safety course, a drawing for items including two new bicycles, and a demonstration of how well a helmet can protect you which involved dropping watermelons — one without a helmet, which cracked; and another with a helmet, which came out unscathed.