The Viewfinder: Artesia's Youth Safety Expo

The held at  brought with it plenty of smiling faces, amazing daredevil bike stunts, and helpful safety lessons in between.

Families flocked to the March 12 event to educate themselves about the services offered by various public safety agencies while also learning important safety tips when it comes to walking or riding a bike to school. But participants didn't just walk away with more knowledge, they also enjoyed a myriad of demonstrations, games, raffles and giveaways of bicycles, helmets, skateboards and other cool items.  

"It's a great day to come out with your family and have a some fun," said Yasmin Orteaga as she stood alongside her two kids. "Plus we get to learn something too."

Some attendees even went home with newly added members to their family.

"Yes we're getting a dog! I'm so excited," said a young smiling girl named Isabella as she pointed toward a black Lab that was among at least 10 other pets available through the Animal Control's on-site adoption event.

Other public agencies in attendance included the Los Angeles County sheriff's and fire departments, which brought along with them a sheriff's helicopter, fire trucks, police cars, ambulances and other first responder vehicles.

When the attendees weren't busy watching live demonstrations, they were standing in awe over gravity defying tricks performed by the Costa Mesa based BMX team known as Team Soil.

"Woah," "cool," and "awesome," were words commonly heard throughout the crowd as the talented bikers launched off ramps placed in the park's parking lot.

The annual expo is part of the Safe Routes to School federal program, which aims to make walking and riding bikes to school safer for children.

In line with the objective of this program, the city has installed crossing signals at two dangerous intersections -- 183rd Street and Alburtis Avenue, and Pioneer Boulevard and 176th Street -- to assist students walking to school, Artesia public information officer Andrew Perry said.

The Safe Routes' goals are further encouraged at local schools through events like International Walk to School Day -- a day when children and their parents are encouraged to walk or ride their bikes to school. And, during special learining sessions where students learn what certain street signals and signs mean. These activities are provided by the Youth Educational Sports, Inc. aka as Yes, Inc.