Officials are encouraging motorists to plan ahead for the 60th Annual Olde Bristol Days this weekend.
In a significant change from previous years, this year two-way traffic will be allowed on Huddle and Snowball Hill Roads, with the exception of the duration of the Olde Bristol Days parade Saturday morning. All traffic will be stopped during the parade, which steps off at 10 a.m.
“Traffic basically, with the exception of when the parade is going on, is going to flow as it normally does,” said Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Rand Maker.
There will be no on-street parking on Huddle and Snowball Hill Roads for the duration of the event. Maker said the area will be conspicuously marked with signage and deputies will be patrolling the area.
“We are going to monitor on-street parking and those that violate the signage are going to be towed,” Maker said, adding that deputies would prefer not to take such action.
Maker said the decision to eliminate on-street parking came after careful consideration by OBD organizers, and takes into account parking availability at the Bristol Consolidated School, Colonial Pemaquid, Pemaquid Beach and private parking availability.
“We are feeling there is enough off-street parking; there is no need to compromise the traffic flow,” Maker said. “We want people to have a good time and park off the roadway. The shuttle is running all day, both days through the fireworks Saturday night, so there is no reason anybody has to park on the street.”
Motorists should remain alert for pedestrian traffic in the area, Maker said, particularly since there are events both at the fort and the beach areas and there will likely be steady foot traffic between both locations.
To help alleviate traffic concerns, Olde Bristol Days organizers have arranged for two 28-passenger buses to transport passengers from the Bristol Consolidated School parking lot to the event sites both Saturday and Sunday.
The shuttles are expected to run continuously between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The Olde Bristol Days parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The parade follows the traditional route from the Samoset Restaurant on Rt. 130 through New Harbor, down Snowball Hill Road to Colonial Pemaquid Historic Site.
Immediately prior to the parade time and immediately following, vehicle traffic in the area will be interrupted.