If you’re heading to Greenwood’s annual Freedom Fest this weekend, the route you take has changed.
And if you want to catch the parade, you will need to set up at a different spot.
Freedom Fest is expected to bring between 50,000 to 60,000 people to Craig Park on Saturday, an amount of traffic that makes roads difficult to navigate regardless of whether any construction projects are underway. But now, a section of Madison Avenue, north of Main Street, is restricted to one lane and the intersection of Madison Avenue and Smith Valley Road is shut down for construction of a roundabout.
But city officials said that they are prepared to handle the extra traffic.
Traffic will not be able to go east on Smith Valley Road to get to Craig Park. Instead, drivers will need to use Main Street to South Washington Street. And drivers coming from the north will need to use U.S. 31, instead of Madison Avenue.
The route of the parade has also changed to avoid Madison Avenue. The parade will begin and end in the parking lot of the former Greenwood Middle School, going north on Meridian Street, west on Main Street, south on Market Plaza and south on Madison Avenue. Extra signs have been posted along the route to make sure people are aware of the change, Greenwood parks and recreation director Rob Taggart said.
The police department typically has all of its officers available during Freedom Fest, so they’re prepared to handle the task of directing traffic to keep drivers headed in the right direction due to the road closures, Greenwood Police Chief John Laut said.
“This is an all hands on deck day,” he said.
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Here is a look at what you need to know if you head to Greenwood for Freedom Fest this weekend:
What’s closed:
The intersection of Madison Avenue and Smith Valley Road is closed for the construction of a roundabout.
A section of Madison Avenue, north of Main Street, is also restricted to one lane.
Detour:
Drivers can use Main Street and U.S. 31, instead of Smith Valley Road and Madison Avenue.
Police are ticketing drivers who use the Wilgro Shopping Center as a cut-through route.
New parade route:
The route of the parade has changed to avoid Madison Avenue. The parade will begin and end in the parking lot of the former Greenwood Middle School, going north on Meridian Street, west on Main Street, south on Market Plaza and south on Madison Avenue.
Look out:
Police will be helping direct traffic and helping motorists find their way around construction.
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