OAKLAND — Several roads and parking lots will be closed in town this weekend for OakFest, beginning Friday.
The OakFest Committee hopes to triple attendance at the town’s celebration, with will include three bands, 65 parade participants and more than 100 vendors signed at the open air market. Last year, the weekend-long celebration drew more than 3,000 people to the town, organizers said, and they are aiming to attract up to 10,000 people this year.
The town parking lot on Center Street will be closed Friday for the OakFest tent to be put up. Part of Center Street, from Hubbard Street to Main Street, will also be closed.
Oakland Police Sgt. Tracy Frost recommended that those going to the festival park on Church, School or lower Oak streets Friday if they plan to attend the parade, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and last a little more than an hour. Right before the parade, Water and Pleasant streets will be used as detours, Frost said.
The stretch of Main Street from Buddies Groceries to Oak Street also will be closed Friday from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. to accommodate the parade and a street dance. The street dance on Main Street will follow the parade and last until 10 p.m.
Police will try to get traffic through during the parade, although Frost said those who aren’t going to the parade should try to find an alternate route, since multiple roads throughout town will be closed.
The town’s noise ordinance restrictions will also be waived until 10 p.m. Friday to accommodate the street dance. Normally, the ordinance goes into effect at 9 p.m.
On Sunday morning, the Oakland boat landing will be closed for the Paddle, Pedal and Pound the Pavement Triathlon until noon. Participants will paddle out to Brown’s Island and back, biking through town for 12 miles and then running a 3.1-mile loop along the trails behind the middle school. Police officers will be placed at each intersection to direct traffic for the bikers, and the effect should be minimal, Frost said.
More officers have been added to the event this year, Frost said. About 13 will be at the parade, including staff members from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office.
Frost doesn’t anticipate any problems and said last year the crowd was “fantastic.”
“We’re looking forward to having a great time,” he said.
For more information on the celebration, visit www.oakfestmaine.com.
Madeline St. Amour – 861-9239
mstamour@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @madelinestamour
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