SOME STREETS WILL CLOSE DURING RIVERFEST

When the craftsmen, merchants and spectators involved with the Riverfest celebration crowd into downtown this weekend, Cape Girardeau police will close off several downtown streets.

The following streets will be closed from 2 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Sunday:

Water Street, from Independence to Broadway;

Main Street, from Merriwether to Broadway;

Spanish Street, from Independence to Broadway;

Themis Street, from Water to Spanish Streets;

Independence, from Water to Spanish Streets; and

Broadway, from Water to Main Streets.

Any vehicles remaining on these streets after 2 a.m. Friday will be towed at the owner's expense.

In addition, the Main Street parking lot will be reserved for Riverfest activities; Missouri Route 177 will be re-routed onto Lorimier Street.

There will be no parking permitted in the following locations:

The east side of Lorimier, from Themis to Broadway;

The south side of Themis, in front of 301 and 303 Themis; and

The south side of Broadway, from Main to Spanish Streets.

No parking will be permitted on any of the closed streets, except for handicapped parking available on Independence from Spanish to Main Streets. Vehicles parked in these areas will be towed.

Some barricades may be placed in the downtown area beginning Thursday morning to allow workers to begin preparation for Riverfest.

While streets are closed, no vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates or roller blades will be allowed within the barricades. No coolers or animals (except guide dogs) will be allowed within the area.

Southeast Missouri Hospital will set up a first aid station; an ambulance will be on location provided by the Cape County Private Ambulance Service.