Know Where to Park During Oil 150

Written by Tom Boyle

Wednesday, 26 August 2009 01:29

Those enjoying Titusville's Oil 150 will need to be aware of where to park during the three biggest days of the celebration.

According to Joe Carter, festival logistics chairman, there will be free parking in different locations and a shuttle service to and from the parking lots into the center of the city.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, which is the Drake Day Extravaganza, there will be handicapped-accessible parking at the Drake Well. Others are asked to park at Titusville Opportunity Park (TOP), near the Cyclops Credit Union building, beginning at 8 a.m. until the last vehicle leaves the lot.

Carter said two shuttle buses will be running all day, beginning at 8 a.m. until everyone has returned from the activities. He said there are efforts to obtain an additional two buses for the Nitro Show to keep waiting at a minimum.

The free parking areas will be clearly signed, Carter said.

On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30, there will be six designated parking lots located on the edge of the city for visitors to park. They are located at the following sites: Salvage Direct, Hydetown Elementary School, Titusville Airport, the former Windy Hills Farm, Titusville Opportunity Park and Oil Creek Plastics.

“These lots will be signed and open beginning Saturday at 8 a.m. until the last car leaves after the fireworks,” Carter said.

When the buses come in from the parking lots located out of town, they will drop riders off at the Farmer's Market site located on Central Avenue. All four directions the buses will travel will be color coded on tents at the Central Avenue location and on the windows of the buses.

Handicapped-accessible parking will be at Wal-Mart, near the entrance, Carter said. If you do not need handicapped-accessible parking, do not park there. Wal-Mart will be open that weekend, so Carter asks that visitors please leave room for the store's regular customers.

An information booth will be set up at the site of the former McGregor's Service Station at the corner of South Perry Street; maps and other items will be given out at this site.

Carter said during the parade on Saturday, Aug. 29, vehicles cannot be used between Spruce and Spring streets from 9:30 a.m. until the last float.

There will be routes for emergency vehicles during the parade.

On Sunday, Aug. 30, all six lots will again be open until everyone gets back from the activities.

There will be several parking lots open in-town that will be used for designated parking for vendors, crafters and entertainers. These are not to be used for regular parking.

Visitors are encouraged to utilize the out of town parking and buses. “There will be extremely limited parking in the city,” Carter said.

There will be three buses going in all directions all day on Saturday. Carter said officials are working on obtaining an additional six buses to help people get back from the fireworks.

“The fireworks can be seen from anywhere in town,” Carter said. “You don't have to be right there.”

Carter expressed appreciation to Brian Jones of CATA for volunteering to dispatch buses Thursday, Friday and Saturday, along with those who donated land for parking areas.