Busy weekend brings street closings to downtown Montgomery beginning Thursday

The streets of downtown Montgomery will be brimming with activity this weekend thanks to several large outdoor events. Because of this, there will be multiple road closures, an increase in pedestrians and the potential for traffic jams.

Beginning Thursday, some downtown roads will be closed to accommodate the events and increase in traffic, according to the Montgomery Police Department.

From Friday through Sunday, the 2019 Buckmasters Expo is coming to the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center. More than 300 vendors will be on site, as well as an archery contest and celebrity guests. Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts are expected to attend. 

To accommodate Buckmasters as it opens and runs through the weekend, Molton Street between Tallapoosa and Bibb streets will be closed from Thursday at 8 a.m. until Sunday at 5 p.m. During that same time, Tallapoosa Street will be closed between Commerce and Molton streets. 

On Saturday, there’s a Vendor Fest street event through the 200 and 300 blocks of Lawrence Street and a portion of Jefferson Street. This free-admission event is taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with food, craft and business vendors. To accommodate Vendor Fest, traffic will be closed on Jefferson Street, between Perry and Lawrence streets, and on Lawrence Street, between Madison Ave. and Columbus Street. 

Drivers should also use extra caution along Water Street by the Union Station Train Shed on Saturday. Although no road closings have been announced here, this is the site of the Hog Days of Summer barbecue and music festival, for which organizers are expecting around 2,000 guests.  

Also on Saturday, the 3rd Annual Gun Island Chute SUP Cup paddle boarding event will take place at Riverfront Park from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Because of the extra traffic, downtown Montgomery's street parking may be a little more scarce than usual this weekend, especially on Saturday.

If you have to park in downtown, here are some nearby parking decks and lots:

• Deck - 495 Molton St.
• Lot - 263 Commerce St.
• Deck - 233 Coosa St.
• Lot - Commerce St. (next to Mellow Mushroom)
• Deck - 62 Madison Ave.
• Deck - 162-182 Monroe St.
• Deck - 777 Adams Ave.
• Individual rates for parking in these spaces may apply. 

Smart parking

Those who find an available parking space on the street may notice something a little different about the meters. 

Montgomery has partnered with ParkMobile of Atlanta on roughly 1,700 parking spots downtown, which can now be reserved and paid for with ParkMobile’s free phone app.  

A plus for big events like this weekend's is that the app allows drivers to reserve spots near venues ahead of time. Your parking space for Buckmasters, Hog Days of Summer, Vendor Fest or any other downtown venue could be reserved today. 

Another benefit is that you don’t have to rush out to the meters with coins to add time. The app allows drivers to do that with with their phones.

For more information, visit https://parkmobile.io/