In April and May two local events will aim to get people out of their cars to explore the neighborhoods.

To celebrate "Seattle Summer Streets," the Greenwood and Phinney Ridge Chamber of Commerce are organizing a car-free street on Phinney/Greenwood Avenue North from North 65th to North 87th streets, April 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. The next month, in Ballard at the Bergen Place Park, the Cascade Bicycle Club will host "bike to work day" May 15, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Mayor Greg Nickels today announced this summer’s schedule of street festivals. Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets will open up streets to pedestrians and bicyclists, and aims to celebrate the spirit and personality of their neighborhood, and support local businesses, according to the city.

Each event is organized by a local group.

“We’re excited by the opportunity to work closely with the city of Seattle on this great initiative to highlight the neighborhoods that make up our great city, particularly the Greenwood-Phinney neighborhood,” said Steve Giliberto, president of the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce. “Especially pleasing is the fact that our new, successful Art Up/Open Up Artwalk program will be the centerpiece activity for our event where businesses marry creativity, art, performance and fun on a monthly basis for all across the city to come and enjoy.”

“The community is leading the way, putting together events that bring us all together,” said Nickels, in a statement. “Biking, walking, drawing chalk pictures, taking in the sights or shopping and eating at local establishments, Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets is a great way to spend time with family and friends.”

Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets is modeled after similar events held in New York; San Francisco; Portland, Ore.; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Bogota, Colombia. Neighborhoods across Seattle, such as Ballard and Greenwood-Phinney, have requested to open streets for community festivals.

During the months of May through September, Bicycle Sundays are being held along Lake Washington Boulevard every weekend. Seward Park’s upper road and Carkeek Park Road west of the Environmental Learning Center are being closed to cars on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The following events are being held this year:

Event: The Greenwood/Phinney Chamber’s Art Up/Open Up Summer Streets Party
Date: Friday, April 10, 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Phinney/Greenwood Avenue North from North 65th to North 87th streets

Event: Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bike to Work Day and Summer Streets Party
Date: Friday, May 15, 4 to 7 p.m.
Location: Bergen Place Park and 22nd Avenue Northwest between Market Street and Ballard Avenue

Event: Seattle Parks Summer Streets Party
Date: Sunday, June 7, 14, 21 and 28
Location: Discovery Park (7th), Interlaken Park (14th), Seward Park (21st), Magnuson Park (28th)

Event: U-District Chamber’s Summer Streets Party
Date: Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: University Way Northeast between Northeast 50th and Northeast 45th streets.

Event: Pike Place Market’s Fresh Fruit Festival and Summer Streets Party
Date: Sunday, July 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Pike Street/First Avenue to Virginia

Event: Rainier Valley Chamber’s Heritage Parade and Summer Streets
Party
Date: Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Rainier Avenue South from South Orcas to South Alaska streets

Event: Cascade Bicycle Club’s Restore Our Waters Cascade Spawning Cycling Tour
Date: Sunday, Sept. 20, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Starts and ends at Myrtle Edwards Park, goes through Seattle Parks non-motorized areas of Seward, Interlaken, Gasworks, Commodore and Discovery Parks.

Event: Visit a park with permanently open streets and Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets
Date: May through September
Location: Volunteer Park, Seward Park, Interlaken, Magnuson Lakefront Promenade, Arboretum, Discovery Park