Boston organization ONEin3 is offering students the chance to experience three world class cities this weekend, all without leaving the comfort of the red line. Participants will have the chance to decorate cupcakes, ride bikes and receive free samples at each of the three stops.
Their annual Red Line Ride event is occurring Sunday, Sept. 15, and will stop in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. There will be food, music and activities throughout the tour. The free event aims to familiarize young adults with the Boston area and support local businesses. Wristbands can be picked up at South Station, Downtown Crossing or Kendall Square.
According to ONEin3, approximately one third of Boston residents are between the ages of 20 and 34, so their aim is to help provide young adults with the resources they need, including safe and local options for entertainment. Organizers Pardis Saffari and Chloe Ryan believe the Red Line Event is a great chance to build community in the area.
“This is a great opportunity to highlight the close proximity of the three cities via the Red Line, so people feel comfortable navigating between them and taking advantage of all they have to offer,” Ryan said.
Northeastern students said they were excited to partake in the event. Christopher Beiser, a freshman computer science major, will be attending.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know my way around better. Going to school in such a large city can be overwhelming, so it will be great to have the chance to find some of the local spots,” Beiser said
Participants should meet outside of South Station at noon in Dewey Square Plaza, where the festivities will begin with music from the AMP 103.3 Street Team. There will be food from Hubway, Runa Tea, Luna Bars and Unjunked Candy, as well as a variety of games on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway.
The first stop off the T is Downtown Crossing, where Soul4YoSystem will kick things off with some live music. Activities include cupcake decorating at Cakeology and a visit to College Fest. Barry’s Bootcamp and David’s Tea, two businesses in the area, will also make appearances.
Next, the tour stops in Cambridge, where it will visit Kendall Square and Central Square. MIT Dance Troupe will lead a flash mob in Kendall Square before everyone heads over to Central Square for more music, Veggie Galaxy and the annual Dumpling Festival.
“Heading to Northeastern, I was excited to see all of Boston, but I really can’t wait to check out Cambridge,” freshman journalism major Matthew Anastasi said. “It looks like an awesome place.”
Finally, the trip will end in Somerville at Davis Square where a raffle at Flatbread will finish things off. Many local businesses have donated to the raffle, including Magpie, Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club and Somerville Local First.
Additionally, the red wristbands come with discounts at many of the businesses for the day. Deals include buy-one-get-one-free coffee at Boston Brewin, 20 percent off at Charles River Canoe and Kayak and a complimentary beverage with cupcake purchase at Sweet. Other companies offering discounts include Frozen-Yo, SideBar, Abigails and Xylem.
Throughout the day there will be giveaways and chances to win things like Harvest Fest tickets, gift certificates to the Veggie Galaxy and passes to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Saffari said local businesses are vital to the Red Line Ride and to Boston, and both young adults and companies will benefit greatly from the event.
“Participants will have the opportunity to connect with their local businesses and learn about new places they may not know,” she said. “And businesses will meet their new and current customers.”
