The 21st annual Coplay Town Watch bike derby appeared destined for the tire junk yard. After several years of low attendance, CTW President Bill Leiner Jr. announced in January that if this year's derby was unsuccessful, it would be the last.

With that charge, the CTW Bike Derby Committee introduced a change of venue and an invitation change.

The committee concluded the key to success was changing the derby's location and expanding the invitation list. Thirteen day care centers, one in Coplay and 12 in Whitehall, were invited to participate.

For decades the bike derby was held at the Coplay Parkway. The CTW asked St. Peter's Catholic Church if the derby could be held on church grounds, and St. Peter's agreed. The venue change allowed for increased space for the participants and their families.

The attendance spiked to one of the largest in derby history. About 50 attendees were on the grounds during the event. The derby participants received a talk about bike safety from the Coplay Police Department. They then, individually, biked through an elaborate track assembled by police. It included a figure eight, a serpentine and other components.

After the safety training and riding through the track, six gift cards were awarded in a drawing. Each participant who needed a bike helmet received one, and each participant selected a free gift from numerous gift choices. Refreshments were served.

The bike derby, a collaboration of the Coplay Town Watch, Coplay Police Department, Coplay Borough, St. Peter's, Petite Scholars Learning Center and Salvage Transport, was free for all who attended.

Also on hand were reps from the Communities That Care (CTC) committee. They provided literature about children's activities. They reviewed their efforts to strengthen families and create an environment to help kids succeed in the Whitehall-Coplay School District. The CTC donated several bike helmets to the derby.

CTW Vice President Kevin Keppel, attending his first derby, was excited about its success. He remarked that "all it took was a change in place and a wider audience." He went on to agree that whenever Coplay and Whitehall link "good things happen."

The CTW now begins to focus on its annual National Night Out (NNO) celebration, set for Aug. 4. The CTW NNO has, over the past 20 years, garnered six national awards.

To join Coplay Town Watch or volunteer for some activities, call Kevin at 484-767-3094 or Bill at 610-751-2745, or email billleiner@aol.com.