Mid America Proposes Parking Amendments for Renaissance Festival Traffic Management

The Scott County Board of Commissioners meeting on July 22, 2025, focused on transportation and parking management for the upcoming Renaissance Festival, addressing significant changes to improve traffic flow and visitor experience.

Key discussions centered around proposed amendments to the conditional use permit (CUP) for the festival, particularly regarding parking capacity and management. The board reviewed a request from Mid America Festivals to increase the number of daily parking passes from 7,000 to 7,700, citing a 10% no-show rate among pre-purchased passes. This increase aims to accommodate the expected attendance while maintaining efficient traffic management.

Additionally, the board considered a proposal to allow for continuous reselling of parking passes throughout the event day, rather than restricting this practice to after 1:30 PM. This change is intended to alleviate congestion caused by reaching parking capacity earlier in the day, as evidenced by data showing significant traffic backups when the limit was reached before the previous reselling time.

The meeting also highlighted the successful implementation of changes made in response to traffic congestion complaints from the 2022 festival season. These included hiring a professional parking service and enhancing bus transit options, which resulted in improved traffic conditions during the 2023 and 2024 festivals.

As the 2025 festival approaches, the board emphasized the importance of monitoring transit ridership and parking dynamics to ensure a smooth experience for attendees. The addition of a new composting facility in the area was noted as a potential factor in traffic management, as it will operate on Saturdays during the festival season, potentially increasing vehicle traffic on shared access roads.

The board's decisions on these amendments will play a crucial role in shaping the logistics of the Renaissance Festival, aiming to enhance visitor experience while minimizing traffic disruptions in the surrounding community.