APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Appleton police are reminding the public that College Avenue between Drew and Lawe streets will be closed for most of Friday and Saturday for License to Cruise and Octoberfest.
In a statement, police say that part of downtown Appleton’s main road will close at noon Friday to allow for staging for License to Cruise, a classic car show. College Avenue between Memorial Drive/Richmond Street and Drew Street will close at 3 p.m.
Side streets will close as follows:
- Appleton Street and Morrison Street will close at College Avenue between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. All other cross streets along College Avenue from Memorial Drive/Richmond Street to Drew Street will be closed the entire event starting at 3 p.m.
Vehicles are set to begin lining up on College Avenue at 3:30 p.m. Drivers are reminded that they should not have motors running during the actual event and that shows of power such as spinning tires and burnouts are not allowed. Once pedestrians have cleared the area, officers will let drivers know when to restart their vehicles and how to leave the area.
College Avenue will remain closed throughout the night and all day Saturday for Octoberfest. The road is scheduled to reopen to traffic around 9 p.m. Saturday.
Side streets closing on Saturday are as follows:
- Appleton Street and Morrison Street will be closed at College Avenue between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. All cross streets along College Avenue from Memorial Drive/Richmond Street to Lawe Street will be closed for the entire event starting at 5 a.m. and will not reopen until event clean-up is completed (at approximately 9 p.m.). Event attendees can assist in the cleanup process by giving crews from the City of Appleton Department of Public Works the space they need for equipment operation.
Drivers headed north or south through downtown can follow a marked detour using W. Prospect Avenue, S. Memorial Drive, N. Richmond Street and W. Franklin Street.
Those going to the downtown events are asked to pay attention to the message board in the Houdini Plaza area for alerts, including weather warnings. Police also plan to have a command vehicle at Appleton Street and W. College Avenue for those who need help. Those who become separated from children are asked to go to City Center Plaza. Police recommend taking a photo of the child at the event to help in the search process.
Police also say they will post updates on their Facebook and Twitter accounts throughout the weekend.
Finally, officers remind event-goers of the following rules:
- No alcoholic beverage carry-ins allowed at the events
- No glass containers
- A wristband is required for the purchase of alcohol at Octoberfest. Wristband and ticket sales end at 5 p.m. The sale of alcohol ends at 5:30 p.m.
- No animals are allowed at special events
- Pedestrians must obey all traffic laws at intersections around the event
- Individuals consuming alcoholic beverages should plan a safe ride home.
- Extra patrols will be out during and after the events to help ensure a safe time for all.
