Southington Apple Fest Has Traffic, Parking Impacts: What You Need To Know

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The signature event on the local calendar arrives on Friday, Sept. 30, when the annual Southington Apple Harvest Festival kicks of two festive weekends celebrating the crunch fruit and the fall season.

But before the fun can happen, the Southington Police Department has some important traffic information to relay to the local community for the event, which takes place in the center of town at the Southington Town Green.

The festival starts Friday, Sept. 30, and continues through to Sunday, Oct. 2 this weekend.

Then, the following weekend, the festival ramps up again on Friday, Oct. 7 to Sunday, Oct. 9.

And, according to the Southington Police Department, several roads will be closed to parking, so motorists will have to get to the festival via several approved parking options, some of which require shuttle buses to get to the green.

According to police, the following streets will be posted as “No Parking:” Merrell Avenue; Oak Street; Academy Lane; Academy Street; North Liberty Street; Vermont Avenue; Vermont Terrace; High Street; Hobart Street; Center Street; Center Place; Center Court; Columbus Avenue; Eden Avenue; Liberty Street; Chestnut Street; Mill Street (between North Main and Water Streets); Berlin Avenue (between Main Street and Highwood Avenue); North Main Street (between Center and Mill Streets); West Center Street (between Summer Street and Howard Avenue); and Woodruff Street (between Berlin Avenue and Pleasant Street).

Parking restrictions will be enforced and violators will be subject to fine and/or towing of the vehicle, police said.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, a special fireworks display will provide oohs and ahs for guests, but police are also warning of some traffic impacts to be noted. The rain date for the fireworks is Oct. 8.

From 2 to 11 p.m. that day, restrictions will be in place on Mill Street, between North Main Street (Route. 10) and Water Street to create a safety zone for fireworks being displayed from the dog park.

The dog park will be closed to the public beginning Saturday, Oct. 1, at noon, continuing through Sunday, Oct. 2 at noon. (Rain dates of Oct. 8-9).

On Sunday, Oct. 2, the annual festival parade will take place (rain date of Oct. 9).

Starting at 7 a.m., several streets will not allow parking for the Southington Apple Festival Parade, police said.

They include: Summer Street; Cowles Avenue; Elm Street; Church Street; Beecher Street; Matthews Street; Eden Place; West Main Street; Bristol Street; Knowles Avenue; Chestnut Street; South Center Street; Water Street; Main Street; Speechley Avenue; and Prospect Street (between West and Summer Streets).

In addition, access to Cowles Avenue, Prospect Street, Summer Street and Elm Street will be unavailable beginning at 11 a.m. on the day of the parade.

Any vehicle parked in the parade route after 10 a.m. will be towed.

For current information regarding the 2022 Apple Harvest Festival, including festival hours, parking restrictions, and detour information, visit the Southington Apple Harvest Festival website at https://www.southington.org/AHF.