RIVERFEST OFF-SITE PARKING, SHUTTLE BUSES URGED

Cape Girardeau and Riverfest officials are urging Riverfest visitors this weekend to use off-site parking facilities and utilize the free shuttle bus services to the downtown area.

The downtown area is the site of the annual two-day Riverfest celebration that this year is expected to attract as many as 50,000 people.

"Several downtown streets will be closed Friday and Saturday," said Capt. Stephen C. Strong of the Cape Girardeau Police Department. "Vehicles found on these streets during the Riverfest celebration will be towed at owners' expense."

Strong said the following streets would be closed from 2 a.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Sunday.

Water Street, from Independence to Broadway.

Main Street, from Merriwether to Broadway.

Spanish Street, from Independence to Broadway.

Themis Street, from Water to Spanish.

Independence Street, from Water to Spanish.

Broadway Street, from Water to Main.

Strong added that no parking would be allowed on the east side of Lorimier Street, from Themis to Broadway, from 11 tonight until the end of Riverfest.

"With the volume of people they're expecting this year, we especially encourage the use of shuttles," said Strong. "We've had a lot of traffic problems in past years. We're hoping everyone will work to make this year an enjoyable and safe event."

Some parking spaces will be reserved for handicapped parking on Independence from Spanish to Main, said Strong.

"Some areas in the downtown area will be barricaded (tonight) to allow workers to start preparations for the Riverfest celebration," said Strong. "While these streets are closed, no motorized vehicles, bicycles, or skateboards will be allowed.

Jay Wolz, publicity chairman of the Riverfest Association, said: "Parking downtown is really at a premium.

"We encourage people to go to the off-site locations with large parking lots and use the free shuttle buses. It's a lot easier than trying to find a parking space downtown."

Free shuttle buses sponsored by The Pasta House Co., Pepsi Cola and the Downtown Merchants Association will make getting to and from Riverfest '91 easier, said Wolz.

Buses will run continuously through the two-day celebration, Friday and Saturday.

The buses will start Friday after 4 p.m. and Saturday after 10 a.m. The last runs are scheduled for 11 each night.

Pick-up points at the parking sites will be:

West Park Mall, front entrance.

Town Plaza Shopping Center, median in front of Sears.

Show Me Center, southeast corner of parking lot.

Kevin Alfultis, chairman of the shuttle bus committee, said tents will be set up at each place. The tents are sponsored by Y105 radio station and provided through Rental Land.

Alfultis said, "We'll have benches and something cold to drink at each pick-up spot."

Signs will also be posted at downtown sites to let Riverfest visitors know where to catch the bus.

Alfultis expects the shuttles to return to pick-up points about every 15 minutes.

Visitors riding the shuttle buses have two options to exit the buses downtown. The buses will stop on Lorimier Street at the Common Pleas Courthouse Park. The main stop will be at Main and Independence streets.

Alfultis said the Lorimier stop was added for people who would like to visit the working crafts in the park.

Volunteers from the Paddlewheelers group, tour guides who work with the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, will be riding the shuttle buses from West Park Mall and from Town Plaza.

Guides will be aboard the buses from 5-8 p.m. Friday and from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Alfultis said. "They will answer questions and point out points of interest."