Keizer’s Bloomin’ Iris KeizerFEST Parade will roll down River Road on Saturday, May 16, and officials are urging drivers to be prepared for the road to close for the festivities.
The parade, organized by the Keizer Chamber of Commerce, will start at 10:30 a.m. on River Road at the intersection with Lockhaven Drive and travel to North Glynbrook Street.
Street closures for safety and parade preparations will begin earlier.
Here’s the traffic plan for Saturday from the Keizer Police Department:
• Lockhaven Drive will be closed to all traffic between River Road and McClure Street at 6:45 a.m. for the parade staging. Parade entries won’t be able to travel west on Lockhaven to reach the staging area, but must take Chemawa Road to Windsor Island Road and then go east on Lockhaven to their designated staging points.
• River Road will be closed to northbound and southbound traffic at 9:45 a.m., from Plymouth Drive to Lockhaven. Northbound traffic on River Road will be diverted to Cherry Avenue Northeast via Plymouth Drive, and then back to the Salem Parkway and Verda Lane. Southbound traffic coming from the north of town will be diverted east onto Lockhaven.
• Before the parade activity, traffic will be allowed to cross River Road at times at the Chemawa, Dearborn and Manbrin intersections, but vehicles may not turn onto River.
• River Road is expected to begin reopening about 12:30 p.m., as the parade moves south.
The police department is posting signs on River Road warning of the street closures.
Police also urge parade spectators who are placing chairs to save their spots ahead of time to leave room on the sidewalks for pedestrians and especially those in wheelchairs to pass.
Chamber organizers note that just before the big parade, the annual Children/Pet Parade will launch. No registration is needed for this event, and those wanting to join in should stage in the parking lot of the shopping center at River Road and Lockhaven Drive.
Those with pets should have them leashed – and be ready to clean up after them.
The kids and pets parade is scheduled to travel south, ending at Chemawa Road.
Parade awards to be given include the Mayor’s Choice, First Citizen’s Choice, Most Unique, Spirit Award and Commercial Division.
Here’s a look at the schedule of events for KeizerFEST:
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