Springfield Standard

A series of road closures will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 7, for the 12th annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival and Parade in downtown Springfield. Despite minor traffic delays, a festival shuttle system aims to facilitate access to downtown restaurants, concerts, and festival activities.

“On behalf of the City of Springfield and Birthplace of Route 66 Festival partners KY3 and Aaron Sachs & Associates, we want to thank citizens and downtown businesses for their cooperation as we work to stage a fun and safe event for Springfield,” said Director of Public Information and Civic Engagement Cora Scott. “We are thrilled to welcome so many festival visitors each year, but festival activity shouldn’t deter anyone from seeking out their favorite downtown spot. We work carefully each year to ensure downtown traffic circulation outside of the festival area and will be running a golf cart shuttle service to help transport anyone to their destination within the festival footprint.”

“We encourage everyone to come downtown and see what the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is all about,” Scott added. “Visit route66festivalsgf.com for a complete event schedule and musical lineup.”

A complimentary golf cart shuttle service will be available during the festival, with approximately nine stops at strategic locations around the perimeter of the festival footprint, including public parking areas.

Kansas Expressway, National Avenue, and Glenstone Avenue will remain open throughout the duration of the festival. Once roads are closed for the parade, they will remain closed until Sunday, Aug. 11 at 7 a.m.

Road closures will commence on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 4 a.m., affecting St. Louis Street between Jefferson Avenue and Kimbrough Avenue; Olive Street between Jefferson Avenue and McDaniel Street.

On Thursday, Aug. 8 starting at 4 a.m., additional closures include 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.

Friday's closures beginning at 4 a.m., include St. Louis Street from Kimbrough Avenue to the Expo Center (the parking garage remains accessible); Kimbrough Avenue from McDaniel Street to Trafficway Street.

On Saturday, Aug. 10 starting at 4 a.m., South Avenue between McDaniel and Walnut streets will also close.

Parade route closure signage will be posted beginning Wednesday, Aug. 7. Portions of College Street from West Avenue to Grant Avenue become no-parking zones starting Friday, Aug. 9 at 5 a.m., until after the parade concludes at 7 p.m., Friday evening.

The Springfield Police Department (SPD) will provide traffic direction for the parade starting at 3 p.m., Friday afternoon with specific closures reopening after its conclusion except for Kimbrough Avenue from Trafficway to McDaniel Street which reopens Sunday morning.

Specific Friday parade closures include:

- College Street from Kansas Expressway to West Avenue: closes westbound traffic starting at 2 p.m.

- College Street from Kansas Expressway to Grant Street: closes eastbound traffic starting at 2 p.m.

- Grant Avenue between Tampa and Walnut streets: closes at 5:30 p.m.

- Campbell/St. Louis Intersection: remains open until parade begins at 6 p.m.

For more information on parking availability during the festival visit itsalldowntown.com.