Community Corner

Italian-American Festival Draws Near; Parking and Road Closures Announced

With less than two weeks to go until Italian culture and fun fill downtown Southington, the department is asking residents to be alert to road closures and parking bans.

The green, white and red lines are going down on the streets and local businesses are coming together as the community prepares to celebrate Italian heritage with the annual Italian-American Festival during the final weekend of the month.

As the even draws closer, however, Southington police are asking residents and visitors to take note of road closures and delays designed to protect festival goers as thousands are expected to flock to downtown Southington.

“The festival will be located on Center Street between North Liberty Street and High Street (previously Factory Square). This section of roadway will be closed to all vehicular traffic starting on Friday July 26, 2013, at 8 a.m. and running though Monday, July 29, 2013 at 1 a.m.,” said Southington Police Sgt. Jeffrey Dobratz.

No parking will be allowed on these streets during that time either, police said. Vehicles will be detoured around the festival using High Street to North Liberty or Center Street, according to the Southington Police Department Facebook page. Liberty Street traffic can use either North Liberty to High Street or South Center to High Street.

The east side of South Center Street has a painted white line, which runs the length of the Rails to Trails. Parking is allowed inside this white line, police said.

Handicap parking will be provided in the municipal lot near Bank of America, with an entrance for the handicap parking going through North Center Street.

Organizers said the event, which runs on July 26 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., July 27 from Noon to 11 p.m. and July 28 from Noon to 6:00 p.m. A special outside church ceremony will also be held at 10 a.m. Sunday with a processional taking place immediately following at approximately 11 a.m.

Dogs, skateboards, in-line skates/rollerblades, bicycles, scooters (gas, battery or push) and motorized vehicles are not allowed on the grounds during this event, organizers said. Violations will result in a $25 fine.

Tell Us: Which part of the festival are you looking forward to most?

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