MULTIFEST BEGINS TODAY AT HADDAD RIVERFRONT PARK

As Multifest begins its 28th year as a multicultural festival in Charleston, people driving in Charleston should be aware of road closures that might affect them. Kanawha Boulevard is closed between Capitol Street and Clendenin Street until late Sunday evening. It will reopen after the event cleanup is complete Sunday night.

Because some portions of Virginia Street near the Kanawha County Courthouse and City Hall are restricted by an ongoing utility project, people driving into downtown Charleston from I-64 to the west might consider using the Lee Street exit since Virginia Street may be congested at various times over the next three days. The parking garage next to City Hall will remain accessible for people attending Multifest through the weekend or doing business with the City or County today.

Because of tomorrow night’s fireworks show to close Multifest’s Saturday lineup, MacCorkle Avenue will be closed between Porter Road and U.S. 119 south starting at 6 p.m. Eastbound drivers will have access to the South Side Bridge via Thayer and Ferry streets until 9:45 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled to be launched at about 10:15 p.m. from a site on MacCorkle across the Kanawha River from the Court Street overlook. The affected streets will remain closed until after the post-fireworks cleanup is complete.

For people attending Multifest, several of the festival’s vendors are setting up on the Boulevard this morning and should be open to serve customers by noon today.