Police expect large crowds at this year’s Milford Oyster Festival. The festival takes place Saturday, Aug. 17 in Downtown Milford.
The Milford Police Department is offering the following information to assist residents, merchants and visitors with traffic, parking and other matters regarding the 39th annual Milford Oyster Festival.
The festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Downtown.
Police are saying that access to the Milford Center area will be restricted from the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The streets which will be closed and/or have limited access include; North Broad Street, South Broad Street, Depot Street, New Haven Avenue from Gulf Street to Daniel Street, Prospect Street from Cherry Street to New Haven Avenue, River Street from Darina Place to New Haven Avenue, Armory Lane, Factory Lane, Shipyard Lane, Center Street and High Street from Jepson Drive to Helwig Street.
Access to the railroad station parking areas for railroad patrons will only be allowed from High Street.
On street parking will be restricted within the festival boundaries between 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Handicapped parking will be provided at the following locations; Milford Senior Center, Harborside Middle School and the Wasson Field parking lot adjacent to West Main Street. There will be senior and handicap access shuttle transportation to and from these locations.
Access to the City boat launch on Shipyard Lane will be restricted from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Police say that pets and coolers will not be allowed within the festival boundaries
Shuttle buses are being provided for festival patrons which will be picking up and dropping off at two locations in Milford; Jonathan Law High School and the Westfield Connecticut Post Shopping Mall. The shuttle services will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
There will be free Police K9 demonstrations for the public being held across from the Milford Public Library at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
A mass notification message will be sent through the “Milford Alerts” system advising area residents and businesses of the parking and traffic restrictions during the festival hours.
Residents and merchants not registered with the citywide notification system can register by visiting www.milfordpd.org and click on the “Milford Alerts” banner.
For further information regarding the Oyster Festival please visit the festival’s website at www.milfordoysterfestival.com