Kane County Reporter

The St. Charles Police Department has issued a traffic advisory ahead of the city’s annual Scarecrow Weekend, which will take place from Friday, October 10, at noon through Sunday, October 12, ending at 5 p.m. The department warns residents and visitors to expect a significant increase in both vehicle and pedestrian traffic during the festival.

Set-up for the event is scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 9, at 5 a.m. Festival activities on the east side of town will stretch from South Riverside Avenue at Illinois Avenue north to Pottawatomie Park. On the west side, events are planned for 1st Street Plaza and Lincoln Park at 4th Street and West Main Street.

Several road closures will be in effect starting October 9 at 5 a.m. until October 12 at 5 p.m., including Riverside Ave. from E. Main St. to Illinois Ave., Cedar St. between N. 4th and N. 5th Ave., 5th Ave. between Cedar St. and W. Main St., and 4th St. between Cedar St. and W. Main St.

Handicapped parking will be available around St. Patrick’s Church, with designated spaces in the 100 blocks of N. 5th Ave. and N. 4th Ave., as well as in the northern parking lot of City Hall.

Additionally, there will be no parking allowed on North Ave. between N. 3rd Ave. and N. 5th Ave during the festival days.

Police officers and Emergency Management Agency personnel will assist pedestrians crossing streets near festival areas.

"Drivers who will not be attending the festival are encouraged to avoid the downtown area by either using the Red Gate Bridge on the north end of the city, or the Prairie Street bridge south of downtown," according to the advisory from police.