~ As the 12th annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival and Parade approaches, the city of Springfield is gearing up for a flurry of festival activity. This will require a variety of road closures in downtown beginning on Wednesday, August 7. Despite these minor traffic delays, festivalgoers and downtown regulars can rest assured that a festival shuttle system will make it easier than ever to navigate the area and enjoy their favorite restaurants, concerts, and festival activities.

Cora Scott, the Director of Public Information and Civic Engagement for the city of Springfield, expressed her gratitude to citizens and downtown businesses for their cooperation in making this event possible. She also emphasized that while the festival may bring in a large number of visitors each year, it should not deter anyone from visiting their favorite downtown spots. The city works diligently to ensure that traffic circulation outside of the festival area is not affected, and they will also be providing a golf cart shuttle service to transport people within the festival footprint.

Scott encouraged everyone to come downtown and experience all that the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival has to offer. The event schedule and musical lineup can be found on route66festivalsgf.com.

To make getting around during the festival even easier, a complimentary golf cart shuttle service will be available with approximately nine stops strategically located around the perimeter of the festival footprint. These stops include public parking areas.

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While some major roads such as Kansas Expressway, National Avenue, and Glenstone Avenue will remain open throughout the duration of the festival, there will be several road closures in effect. These closures will remain in place until Sunday morning at 7 am when all streets are expected to reopen.

The following roads will be closed for the duration of the festival: St. Louis between Jefferson Avenue and Kimbrough Avenue; Olive Street between Jefferson Avenue and McDaniel Street; St. Louis Street between Campbell Avenue through Park Central Square to Kimbrough Avenue; Park Central Square and spokes; Patton Avenue between Olive Street and St. Louis Street; Robberson Avenue between McDaniel Street and Olive Street; Jefferson Avenue between Water Street and Walnut Street; McDaniel Street from west of the Discovery Center parking lot to east of the parking garage at McDaniel and Robberson Avenue; St. Louis Street from Kimbrough Avenue to the Expo Center (the parking garage will remain open and accessible throughout the festival); Kimbrough Avenue from McDaniel Street to Trafficway Street; and South Avenue between McDaniel and Walnut streets.

In addition, there will be specific closures for the parade route. These closures will be marked with signage starting on Wednesday, August 7. On Friday, August 9 at 5 am, portions of the parade route on College Street from West Avenue to Grant Avenue will become a no-parking zone until the parade concludes at 7 pm. The Springfield Police Department will begin towing vehicles parked illegally along the parade route at that time.

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The Springfield Police Department will also provide traffic direction and control for the parade, which starts at 3 pm on Friday, August 9. The following closures will reopen after the conclusion of the parade at 7 pm, except for Kimbrough Avenue from Trafficway to McDaniel Street, which will reopen on Sunday morning at 7 am: College Street from Kansas Expressway to West Avenue (westbound traffic onto College Street closes at 2 pm with entry only allowed for parade participants to stage their vehicles); College Street from Kansas Expressway to Grant Street (traffic onto College Street closes at 2 pm with entry only allowed for parade participants to stage their vehicles); Grant Avenue between Tampa and Walnut streets (closes at 5:30 pm); Campbell and St. Louis Intersection (remains open until the start of the parade).

For those planning on driving downtown during the festival, a map of available parking lots and garages can be found on itsalldowntown.com.

The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is a highly anticipated event in Springfield, and the city is working hard to ensure that it runs smoothly and safely for all involved. With the help of a festival shuttle system and clear communication about road closures, festivalgoers and downtown regulars can enjoy all that the festival has to offer without any major disruptions.

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