In an effort to make downtown Wimberley safe for thousands of expected visitors during the Eclipse Weekend, April 6-8, the City is closing select areas to vehicular traffic.
The Wimberley Square and Quarter Shops will be closed to all traffic beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, April 6, and continuing through the evening of April 8. In addition, Old Kyle Road, from Ranch Road 12 to the entrance to Blue Hole Lane, will be closed during those same hours.
“It’s important for the City to prepare for thousands of anticipated visitors who are coming to town for Eclipse Weekend. These road closures will make areas safer for pedestrians who want to view the total solar eclipse in downtown Wimberley,” says Ted Gartner, City of Wimberley Public Relations and Community Liaison.
The Wimberley Square and Quarter Shops road closures are similar to the closures for Winter’s Eve and Halloween Celebrations. The City decided to close the portion of Old Kyle Road so that visitors could safely walk from parking at Blue Hole into downtown Wimberley. Ranch Road 12 will remain open through downtown, as will all Hays County roads.
A combination of law enforcement and private security will help ensure traffic runs as smoothly as possible. Food trucks and musical acts will be stationed in the closed-off areas. Downtown businesses that choose to remain open during the weekend will be given designated employee parking passes near the downtown area.
“We are encouraging residents to celebrate the eclipse with their neighbors at home,” says Gartner. “They’re certainly welcome to visit downtown, but they should know that they may likely encounter unprecedented traffic, lasting for hours and spanning miles.”
Residents and businesses are encouraged to get supplies like groceries, fuel, and prescriptions well ahead of the Eclipse Weekend. Because of the crowds, they should be prepared for self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours.
Other events planned for Eclipse Weekend are Market Day, Wimberley High School Prom, and the Ace Hardware Street Dance on April 6. The monthly Coffee and Cars takes place on Sunday, April 7. Area schools, including Wimberley ISD, are closed on April 8.
The Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a State of the Eclipse Luncheon. That presentation was recorded and is available for viewing at bit.ly/wimberleyeclipselunch.
