Post by Todd B on Nov 29, 2006 14:40:09 GMT -5
www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS01/111290026
Article published Nov 29, 2006
Shuttle service available to Ida parade watchers
IDA - Parking will be restricted Saturday in Ida because of the Christmas in Ida Parade of Lights, but a shuttle bus service will be offered to help get visitors to the parade route.
More than 28,000 people were in Ida during last year's festival. The parking and travel restrictions have been enacted to help provide a safe area for spectators and assist with emergency response if needed.
Parking on Lewis Ave. between Ida East/Ida West Rds. and Ida St. will be prohibited during the festival. All vehicles must be removed before the parking lanes are closed and barricaded at 9 p.m. Thursday.
Parade-goers are invited bring their own lawn chairs and place them in the parking lanes on Lewis Ave.
The parking lanes on Lewis Ave. south of Ida St. will remain open. Public parking lots also will be available on Lewis Ave., Ida East Rd., Southwick St., Van Aiken St., Ida West Rd. two blocks west of Lewis Ave, Ida East Rd. east of Lewis Ave. and at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Volunteers from St. Joseph Catholic Church will direct drivers parking downtown. Young Life of Monroe County will assist motorists parking on Ida East Rd.
Visitors also are encouraged to use the shuttle service that will operate from 3:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday on the north side of town at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at Lewis Ave. and Dunbar Rd. and on the south side of town at Hamlin's Auction House and Cornerstone Baptist Church at Lewis Ave. and Albain Rds.
Lewis Ave. will remain open for local and festival traffic. Detours will be routed and posted Saturday afternoon to direct through-traffic.
The parade route will close at 6:30 p.m. The parade will begin at Ida Public School campus, traveling to Ida St., Mill St., Ida East Rd., Lewis Ave. and back to the school campus on the south entrance.
The Ida Township Board and Monroe County Road Commission have approved the parking lane closures.