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The grand parade will kick off Bridgefest presented by UP Health Systems – Portage tonight. But before the parade floats can get on the road, and toss out treats to the community the Houghton and Hancock Police departments will reroute traffic. Houghton city police chief John Donnelly says that the officers are ready, and prepared for a fun weekend with the area. Adding that the department will not allow parking on Sheldon Avenue after 5 pm today in preparation for the parade.
“Right, on the Hancock side, I believe that they’re starting that at five o’clock trying to get everybody’s staged on Lincoln Drive there. On the Houghton side, we will have officers out in place around 6:30 to begin shutting roads down at 6:45 p m with anticipation of the Thatcher Markham 5K race and the parade starting at seven pm” – Chief John Donnelly Houghton City Police Department
Moving into Saturday Chief Donnelly says that there’s plenty of parking around the area. And Bridgefest has also set up transportation from certain lots to Kesterner Park. Lakeshore Drive west of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge will also transform into a one-way traveling west with angled parking taking up one lane close to the canal.
“I don’t feel that parking is going to be a huge issue now that we have all the parking lots open on Lakeshore Drive I’m hoping that it won’t be an issue so I think to be plenty of part parking for people where it gets congested of course is down on the lakefront and the angle parking there helps. But of course, it always helps if people, you know want to take a walk and go there. Of course, you can hit the vendors as you go through there too. It makes it all part of the experience.” – Chief John Donnelly Houghton City Police Department
Both city police departments will have officers out to direct traffic before and after the parade on Friday. Then Saturday officers will join the fun while keeping the public safe. The Bridgefest parade will follow the starting gun for the Thatcher Markham 5k at 7 pm. Last-minute registration and bib pick-up will begin at 4 pm at Copper Country Running Company on Sheldon Avenue. Chad Brogan and the Collective will kick off the concert series for the weekend in Kestner Park. Those interested in learning more about events tonight or tomorrow in Hancock and Houghton can find more details at Bridgefestfun.com.
