Barnesville police warn residents and festival-goers of road closures and parking restrictions during the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival. Several roads and parking lots will be closed this week to accommodate the festival. Photo Provided

BARNESVILLE — Barnesville police warn residents and festival-goers to be on the lookout for road closures and parking restrictions this week during the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival.

The department posted on its Facebook page that West Main Street, from Chestnut Street to Gardner Street, and North Broadway, from West Church Street to South Broadway Street, and South Broadway Street to West South Street will be closed now through Sunday.

There will also be no parking available in this area during the festival.

The department also asks that drivers pay attention to no parking areas.

They should also leave room for visibility near intersections and not block access to fire hydrants or sidewalks.

The department said that parking on East Main Street and North Chestnut Street will be restricted on Saturday only for the Giant Pumpkin Parade.

The department will post “no parking” signs on these roads.

The department also said that Ohio 800 South into Barnesville and Ohio 147 East into Barnesville will be closed within village limits from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday for the Giant Pumpkin Parade.

The police also ask residents and travelers to keep alleyways open so that emergency vehicles can pass through if needed.

The department states that many village parking lots will be blocked off all of this week for festival preparation.

The Barnesville police also ask that people do not place objects such as cones in the road to reserve parking spaces.

“Street parking is public parking, it is illegal to place objects in the roadway,” the department posted.

The department also said that some road construction is taking place near Barnesville, so festival-goers may want to allow extra time while traveling. They said that those traveling on Ohio 800 from Interstate 70 should be aware of the temporary traffic lights set up for a bridge replacement project.

The department also asks drivers to watch out for pedestrians and allow pedestrians at crosswalks to cross the street.

For more information, call the police department at 740-425-1976. Anyone can report illegal or suspicious activity by calling the police department or 911.

The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival officially kicks off on Thursday and runs until Sunday, with the official Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off beginning at 6 p.m. today at the intersection of Main and Chestnut streets. For more information about the festival and to view a map of the festival area, visit barnesvillepumpkinfestival.com.