'Doe The Paperboy' hosts VA BIKE EXPO: Vendors, bike track, games, music, DJs, artists

Kristi K. Higgins, The Progress-Index
·3 min read
A VA BIKE EXPO attendee skates on the track inside the former Sears building at Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights in January 2022.
A VA BIKE EXPO attendee skates on the track inside the former Sears building at Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights in January 2022.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The VA BIKE EXPO, a three-day event at Southpark Mall, returns for its second gear this month. Petersburg native Reginald "Doe The Paperboy" Thurman, an Indie hip-hop artist/entrepreneur, is the driving force behind it.

The venue for the VA BIKE EXPO is the former Sears building. This family-friendly event features over 50 different vendors, a host of attractions and information to include community resources, sports, game tournaments, puzzles, music, food, fashion, art, history and more.

A cool bike track will also be within the fun-filled 115,000-square-foot space.

Admission is free, but, an upgraded version of the event is available. Golden tickets offer guest tours, test drives, access to golden ticket holder-only zones and VIP lounge, an E-bike raffle and more. A golden ticket, which is a weekend pass, may be purchased at driveovereverything.com for $20.

"Children can bring their own power wheels and non-gas-powered bikes and ride them on the track at the bike camp. Bikes will also be available," Thurman said. "Golden ticket holders can ride the bikes for free. If non-golden ticket holders make a donation, they can also ride them."

The VA BIKE EXPO track inside the former Sears building at Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights in January 2022.
The VA BIKE EXPO track inside the former Sears building at Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights in January 2022.

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The community outreach event showcases Thurman's branded electric bikes which will be on display and available for purchase. He will show off his pride and joy, an electric bicycle that he created that goes up to 50 miles an hour.

"The first EXPO was a memorable experience. The building was filled with kids enjoying the activities geared with them in mind including a bike park, skating rink and boxing area to name a few," Thurman said. "The vendors were an essential piece in making the expo a success. Without them, the department store wouldn’t have transformed into a shopper’s oasis. Each one did their thing hands down."

Shoppers may purchase clothing items such as streetwear, athletic/leisure wear, customizable t-shirts, custom sneakers, and lingerie as well as stylish accessories like sunglasses, jewelry and more. Vendors will sell savory confectionery treats, vegan appetizers and entrees, herbal teas and more.

Wellness is a staple within the expo. Pathways, dedicated to building pathways to education, employment and good health, will be on site. The Petersburg-based nonprofit provides free health care to uninsured individuals in Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Prince George, Dinwiddie and the rest of the local area.

"At the community event, uninsured people will be able to schedule free clinical and mental health appointments as well as mammograms," Ron Thompson, Pathway's clinic coordinator, said. "Seniors 65-plus can make appointments to receive free dental care."

Second from the right, Reginald "Doe The Paperboy" Thurman strikes a pose with friends at Donamatrix Day 2022 in Petersburg, Va.
Second from the right, Reginald "Doe The Paperboy" Thurman strikes a pose with friends at Donamatrix Day 2022 in Petersburg, Va.

According to Thurman, the event will have practically anything you can think of from beauticians, barbers, lash techs, authors, books, chefs, event planners, balloon artists, life coaches, gym owners, personal trainers, CPR training, healthcare screenings, top-tier business management services, community enrichment providers, amazing 360 photo booths, professional photographers, videographers, DJs, artists, selfie stations, intoxicating essential oils and high-quality CBD products.

Doe The Paperboy's performances throughout the weekend will rock the building. His highly anticipated album "H3," the third installment of his "Harvest" collection, will drop the day of the expo. It will be a treat for fans who have patiently waited for the new music.

The VA BIKE EXPO takes place at 230 Southpark Circle in Colonial Heights on November 25 from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., 26 from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and 27 from noon - 6 p.m. For more information, send an email to Thurman at doethepaperboy@gmail.com. Follow him on Facebook at @doethepaperboy.

"Don't miss the event of the year that kicks off on Black Friday," Thurman said. "The second VA BIKE EXPO will be even bigger and better than the first."

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— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Colonial Heights: VA BIKE EXPO three-day, fun-filled community event