Main Street Warsaw representatives went before the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety on Friday to request two road closures for upcoming events and an addition to a previously approved closure.
Nora Christiansen, Main Street Warsaw and Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce event coordinator, said the first request was for the Downtown Christmas Celebration on the first Friday of December, Dec. 6. The event time is 5 to 8 p.m., but the road closures are for 3:30 to 9 p.m. Roads to be closed include Center Street between Lake and Indiana streets, and Buffalo Street between Main and Market streets.
Councilwoman Diane Quance asked if the road closure request included the roads that will be closed for the Twinkle Light Parade.
Scott Wiley, Chamber member relations manager, said they usually don’t close the other streets for the Twinkle Light Parade. The police close off the other roads at the intersections with their vehicles during the parade, going down to Central Park.
The road closure request is the same as last year, and the board approved it.
The second request was for the Kettlehead’s Homebrew Fest on Sept. 21. The event is 5 to 9 p.m., with the road closure being from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The road to be closed is Buffalo Street between Center and Main streets.
“They’ll bring in their tent early in the morning from Warsaw Party Rental,” Wiley said. The event will have wristbands for people to sample homemade beer.
Quance asked if the Homebrew Fest will be covered under the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).
Mayor Jeff Grose said the event was taking place within the DORA district. Wiley said it will be, but for this particular event, the Kettleheads will not be using DORA cups and will be staying under the tent. In years past, the event has been a fundraiser for Combined Community Services.
Grose said he guessed DORA would apply.
“Our DORA ordinance was written in a way that it encompasses special events, so they can use it how they choose to,” City Planner Justin Taylor stated.
Wiley said the event involves many different homebrewers who like to talk about their beers that people get to sample for paying an entry fee. The Kettleheads could have used the DORA cups, but they chose not to, he said.
The Board of Works approved the road closure request.
The third request from Main Street Warsaw was an addition to the previously submitted road closure for September’s Third Friday on Sept. 20. The addition is for the closure of Main Street between Lake and Buffalo streets from 3 to 9 p.m. Third Friday goes from 5 to 8 p.m.
Christiansen said they already received approval for Center and Buffalo streets, but need the addition of Main Street behind the county courthouse as well for overflow because they are combining two events. Wiley said the intersection at Buffalo and Main will remain open.
August’s Third Friday, which included the Kosciusko Board of Realtors’ Cruise-In, was cancelled due to the forecast of severe weather. So now September’s Third Friday will include the cruise-in with Taste of Kosciusko and Warsaw’s Got Talent.
The additional road closure request was granted by the board.