Parking ban, shuttle bus service added for this weekend's Hamburg Fair

Aug. 15—LYME — An on-street parking ban and shuttle bus service will be in place this year to alleviate congestion and unsafe parking conditions due to increased attendance at the annual Hamburg Fair.

The fair will be held Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. on the fairgrounds at 2 Sterling City Road.

First Selectman David Lahm said in a news release that last year's fair brought in a record crowd of more than 6,500 people.

"With that success, however, traffic congestion and parking issues became a public safety concern that needed to be addressed," Lahm said.

The Hamburg Fair Association will provide the free shuttle bus service. The bus will run from Lyme Town Hall and Lyme Consolidated School on Friday and Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m.

The parking ban will be in effect Friday at 3 p.m. through Sunday at 7 p.m. It will extend along Route 156 from Cove Road to Joshuatown Road, along Old Hamburg Road to Joshuatown Road, and along Sterling City Road from the main gate of the fairgrounds to Sterling Hill Road.

"No Parking" signs will be posted along the affected streets and will be enforced by state police. Tickets are $85 for improper parking. Vehicles may be towed at the owner's expense.

Existing paid parking options at Reynolds Subaru and Lyme Congregational Church to benefit local Boy Scouts and the church will continue, though they are expected to reach capacity in the evenings.

More information about the fair is available at www.hamburgfair.org.