By KEVIN CORVO Wednesday September 11, 2013 7:38 AM Download a PDF version of this article here.
Food vendors, artists and carnival rides will take over Main and Center streets in Old Hilliard Saturday, Sept. 14.
The 28th Old Hilliardfest Art and Street Fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but an "after-hours" event featuring live entertainment and limited vendors will continue to 11 p.m.
For the first time in the festival's history, patrons will be able to buy alcohol on Main Street.
For the past several years, special arrangements had been made for beer in limited areas at the festival, but this year festival organizers obtained a permit from the city to allow beer sales from 3 to 10:30 p.m. on Main Street.
Earlier this year, Hilliard adopted legislation approving special permits for alcohol sales on city property.
Organizers said they believe the new alcohol permit will benefit the festival, along with other improvements organizers strive to make each year.
"We think we have better stage entertainment this year," said Ed Daniel, chairman of the event.
Live entertainment and musical acts will perform on three stages throughout the day.
The main stage acts include two bands featuring Hilliard residents -- Blackwater Road at 3:30 p.m. and Flannel Shark at 6:30 p.m.
Carnival rides and games also will be featured this year, as well as a new location at Wayne and Center streets for the art exhibition.
"It's a more centralized location for the arts," Daniel said.
Old Hilliardfest also features a variety of food vendors, including a family-operated vendor, Maggie's Concessions.
Tim Norris, 70, and his daughter, Maggie Lombardi, a teacher in the Jonathan Alder Local School District, and other family members own and operate the business, working about eight to 10 festivals a year.
Norris, of Plain City, serves on the planning committee for Old Hilliardfest and has run concessions at the event for 10 years.
"I think it's one of the best events Hilliard has," Norris said. "It's a great community event."
Street closures for the event are slightly different this year.
Norwich Street will not be closed between Columbia and Main streets.
Likewise, Main Street will not be closed between Norwich and North streets, allowing traffic from Norwich Street to Main Street.
Norwich Street will be closed between Main and Wayne streets; Main Street will be closed from Norwich to Madison streets; and Center Street will be closed from Columbia to Wayne streets.
Main and Center streets will remain closed until 11 p.m., but some sections of roads will reopen at the discretion of police after 5 p.m. when the art exhibits and carnival rides close, Daniel said.
Admission is free.
Parking is available at various streets and parking lots, as well as the Columbia Street entrance to the Franklin County Fairgrounds. A shuttle will be available from the fairgrounds.
For more information and entertainment schedules for the three stages at the street fair, visit oldhilliardfest.org.
Friday Night Lights
As a precursor to OldHilliardFest Art and Street Fair, the Hilliard Civic Association will host Friday Night Lightsfrom 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13.
The event provides music and entertainment for high school students.