TRAFFIC ADVICE...COME TO THE FAIR EARLY!

FREDERICK--Fair goers attending this year’s 142nd annual Great Frederick Faire are advised to come early and stay late! Traffic congestion is always increased at fair time, and this year is not expected to be any different for the September 17-25 event.

The Frederick City Police are also gearing up for the increased traffic volume along East Patrick Street, Monroe Avenue and Highland Street. The police will be directing traffic to the fairgrounds’ designated entrances. Unless it is a bonafide emergency, visitors should not stop their vehicle and ask an officer directing traffic questions or for directions. Fair goers should also watch for signage directions. Normal traffic patterns may be changed and redirected during the week. Radio station WFRE, 99.9 FM, will be carrying daily traffic reports throughout the week.

Numerous parking lots also surround the fairgrounds, and fair goers are encouraged to park there.

"We really want to encourage our visitors to park on the designated lots at Highland Street and off of Monocoacy Boulevard," said fair board President J.R. Ramsburg Jr. "We can handle a large volume of cars there, and fair goers can walk or take the free shuttle to the fairgrounds.

All fair vehicular traffic getting onto and off of the grounds will again be directed to use Gate 3 off Monroe Avenue as well as Gate 6 off East Patrick Street. Gate 3 is the fair's main entrance for fairweek so that officials can stack cars on the grounds to help alleviate congestion on public roadways. Gate 4 off of Highland Street will be an Exit Only gate.

Parking on Monroe Avenue will not be permitted from September 17-25 and traffic will flow with two lanes going north and two lanes going south. Gate 3 will have two lanes of traffic leading onto the grounds with one lane designated for exiting. Fair goers exiting from Gate 3 will be directed to go south on Monroe Avenue to East Patrick Street. Pedestrian traffic will be accessible from Gates 1, 2 and the designated walk-in gate off Highland Street.

"We are hoping the continuation of the traffic patterns and parking arrangements from previous years will help the fair with better traffic control and management," said Ramsburg, adding, "There is such a large influx of people trying to get onto and off of the grounds in such limited time periods. We're trying to do what we can to get people in and get people out in a timely manner."

"The Frederick City Police have been very cooperative and helpful in getting the traffic pattern pulled together," he continued. "I hope it will make life easier for everyone."

Prior to coming to the fair, all visitors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the streets surrounding the fairgrounds. Visitors should identify alternate routes to and from the grounds. Frederick City Police encourage fairgoers to avoid the East Street and East Church Street areas during the week due to road construction. Once leaving the fairgrounds, fairgoers are encouraged head east and then use alternates routes to go west.

"The main thing is for everyone to remain patient," Ramsburg said. "We want everyone to have a safe and happy trip to and from the fair and during their stay with us.