Residents of the Route 1 corridor are celebrating the opening of the southern extension of the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail.

Local advocates had long pushed for the crucial segment of the trail because it connects to paths along the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River, which heads towards Montgomery County, and the Northeast Branch, which leads to D.C.

Drivers should take care when going through the intersection of Route 1 and Armentrout Drive, as the rules have changed to accommodate the new bike path. Cars are no longer allowed to make a free right turn from Armentrout onto Rhode Island Avenue.

Here’s an overview of some of the events happening this month celebrating the trail extension’s opening:

• Visit local businesses. A small group of local businesses (see the full map here) such as Maryland Meadworks and Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. are running a promotion sponsored by Maryland Milestones. Through Jan. 6, stop by these local businesses to pick up a punchcard that will get you discounts and a chance to win prizes.

• Bike the trail on Dec. 9. You can join a group of local cyclists on two celebratory rides along the trolley trail from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. The rides, co-sponsored by Arrow Bicycle and Proteus Bicycles, will gather at Shortcake Bakery and Proteus at 12:30 p.m., and meet in the middle at Denizen’s Brewing Co., at the Station at Riverdale Park.

• Run the trail on Dec. 10. The Runners SoHy group has organized a self-paced three-mile run that includes the new trolley trail extension starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, at Vigilante Coffee in Hyattsville.

• Go on a Dec. 15 pub crawl. Local businesses are also sponsoring a “pub crawl” on Friday, Dec. 15, starting at 6 p.m. at Pizzeria Paradiso, then 7:15 at Maryland Meadworks, 8:30 p.m. at Streetcar 82 and 9:15 at Sangfroid Distilling. Discounts will be offered if you have the punchcard.

• Join the Dec. 17 Sunday Funday event. Another group of local businesses will be holding a “Sunday Funday” on Sunday, Dec. 17, starting with 11:30 a.m. brunch at Shortcake Bakery, heading to Arrow Bicycle, Shops at SoHy, Three Little Birds and Sweet Pea Fiber and ending at 2:30 p.m. at Franklins. Discounts with punchcard.

The Hyattsville Community Development Corp. is also planning its own celebration of the trail extension for Saturday, Jan. 20.

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