Arthur Ashe closures for America's 250th IllumiNATION event
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One of the projections Richmonders might see. Image: Courtesy of Virginia Museum of History & Culture
A major stretch of Arthur Ashe Boulevard will temporarily close for several nights this month as the city preps for a large-scale event to celebrate America's 250th.
Why it matters: The closures will affect traffic and parking in one of Richmond's most heavily traveled corridors for a test event Tuesday and a four-night festival next week.
Catch up quick: It's all for IllumiNATION, which will display an 18,000-square-foot projection of America's story onto the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
- Organizers are also planning live music, food and beer trucks, and after-hours access to the museum's exhibitions.
The latest: While the show doesn't run until June 25-28, the museum is conducting a smaller test run of the equipment this Tuesday.
Zoom in: You won't be able to park on either side of Arthur Ashe from the VMFA entrance to near Monument Avenue between 10am-10pm on Tuesday without risking a tow, according to signs spotted by Axios.
- That stretch will turn into a 24-hour no-parking zone during the festival.
- From 6-10pm, southbound lanes of Arthur Ashe between Hanover and Park avenues will be closed, along with the 2800 block of Kensington Avenue, RPD spokesperson James Mercante tells Axios.
- From 8-10pm, northbound lanes in the same area — and the 2700 blocks of Kensington and Stuart avenues — will also close.
What's next: The same lanes will be closed during the same times when the festival officially starts next Thursday to Sunday.
Karri Peifer contributed to this report.