Scottsburg delays decision on festival road closures, asks organizers for site map

Organizers of the Mayberry Comes to Scottsburg festival presented plans and requested multiple road closures for the weekend of the event, but the Scottsburg Common Council asked the team to provide a detailed site map and tabled any final decision.

Eric Lowry, speaking for the festival team, said the event is about six weeks away and ticket sales are ahead of the first two years. He asked the council to close three sides of the square from Saturday midnight through Sunday 4 p.m. and to allow two adjacent street segments to be used for a food court with earlier access for setup starting Friday at 6 p.m.

Council member Kevin Smallwood raised concerns about impact to east-side businesses (named in the discussion as Dirt Boys and the Beastro) if access is restricted during peak Saturday hours. Smallwood suggested keeping access into the county parking lot to preserve handicapped parking and allow customers to reach those businesses. The police chief and staff cautioned that certain configurations could create traffic conflicts and possible gridlock if trucks or service vehicles use the back parking lot as a through-route.

Councilors asked the festival team to produce a site plan showing vendor areas, a proposed kid zone and traffic circulation. Mayor Aik and staff said safety—especially for a proposed children’s area—was a primary concern. The council agreed to postpone a decision on the primary First Street closure and review detailed layout options at the next meeting in two weeks.

"We're about six weeks away from the Mayberry Comes to Scotsburg Festival…ticket sales are actually ahead of our first two years at this time," Eric Lowry said. Council members emphasized communication plans (maps, signage, possible shuttle service) to reduce disruptions if the closures are approved later.

The council did not vote on closures tonight; staff and the festival team will return with site-map options and timing recommendations.