This weekend, Sept. 28-29, Tempe Beach Park will transform into the buzzing hub of Boots in the Park, which marks its return with a packed lineup of live music, line dancing, and various attractions including food, drinks, vendors, and art installations. The organizers have announced a clear bag policy to enhance event security. Details on permitted bags and items are accessible to festival-goers seeking to plan ahead.
For those looking to skirt around the nuisance of traffic and parking, public transit presents itself as the savvy choice. Tempe offers a range of transit options like 13 local bus routes, six free Orbit circulators, the Streetcar, and nine light rail stops. Attendees can park at designated park-and-ride locations such as Dorsey and Apache for light rail and Streetcar connections, with further parking available for light rail connections at McClintock and Apache, and Price and Apache.
With street closures and restrictions in play for the event's duration, city officials advise preparation. As reported by the City of Tempe, from Sept. 28 at 7 a.m. until approximately 10 p.m. on Sept. 29, the following routes will be affected: "Eastbound Rio Salado Parkway closed between Hardy Drive and Mill Avenue, Westbound Rio Salado Parkway closed between Mill Avenue and Lakeside Drive, Southbound Mill Avenue closed between Curry Road and Rio Salado Parkway, Northbound Ash Avenue closed at Third Street," and "Eastbound First Street closed at Rio Salado Parkway."
Transit impacts will correspond with the street closures, with several bus detours during the festival. Routes are set to change as follows; "48 Northbound: Regular route to Rio Salado Parkway/Hardy Drive, south on Hardy Drive to University Drive, east on University Drive to Ash Avenue, north on Ash Avenue to 5th Street, east on 5th Street to resume regular route," and similarly adjusted routes for the southbound 48, in addition to the north and southbound 62. For businesses on Mill Avenue seeking customized access options, contacting individual establishments directly is recommended, according to the City of Tempe official website.
For those favoring the tranquility of bike or foot, some considerations are in order. Although starting Sept. 26 until Oct. 1, the lake pathway will be off-limits, Eastbound Rio Salado Parkway will welcome bicycles and pedestrians between Hardy Drive and Mill Avenue, and Westbound Rio Salado Parkway between Mill Avenue and Lakeside Drive, from the morning of Sept. 28 till the early hours of Sept. 30. However, the southbound section of Mill Avenue will be barred to cyclists and pedestrians between Curry Road and Rio Salado Parkway.
Complete details and updates for navigating Boots in the Park, including street restrictions and transportation alternatives, are found on the event's announcement page.
