YPSILANTI, MI – Ypsilanti residents are being encouraged to join in a resurgence of ‘Silly Walks," Monty Python-style, as they get out for some exercise.
A new site, called the Ypsilanti Ministry of Silly Walks, is in Normal Park Neighborhood on Pleasant Drive near Recreation Park. It follows a similar activity started in Grosse Pointe Park.
“It’s good to have a little change,” Cami Fussey, Ypsilanti Ministry of Silly Walks organizer, said. “It’s good to have things where you stop thinking about the world for a minute and you just have fun with what’s right in front of you.”
When taking a leisure walk, people will see a sign that says, “You have now entered the jurisdiction of ministry of Silly Walks. Commence silly walking immediately.”
Camera playbacks show people stopping to read the sign for a few seconds and proceeding to walk in a silly way.
More than 20 people have participated since it began in Ypsilanti on April 26, with many returning to walk past again, Fussey said, adding it’s something fun to do during the time of quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.
Those who participate in the silly walks can see themselves on the Ypsilanti Ministry of Silly Walks Facebook page.
The Ypsilanti location is one of many in the world to take up silly walks again. Liz Koto, originator of the silly walk on Yorkshire Road in Grosse Pointe Park, said she’s received messages from other United States cities, The Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, France, England and Kenya who are all joining in.
“I hope that silly walks is a reminder that even if things are not going well or not going as planned, you can still find a place and time to laugh and be silly,” Koto said.
Fussey advises that only people within walking distance of the neighborhood should come to the Ypsilanti Ministry of Silly Walks. But she encourages people to create a similar silly walks site in their own neighborhoods.
“If you’re not within walking distance, you’re welcome to send us a video to either our Facebook or Instagram at @YpsiSillyWalks,” Fussey said. “We’ll post some submitted from afar because we’re all observing the ‘stay home’ order. We don’t want people to travel unnecessarily.”