EASTON, Pa. — With the return of the Easton Twilight Criterium, city residents will see a slew of street closures as thousands of bikers and spectators wheel around the Downtown area next weekend.
Certain streets throughout Downtown will be closed for the race and its associated events beginning as early as 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, according to a release from the Greater Easton Development Project. GEDP said residents and visitors are asked to keep the event in mind when it comes to traveling and parking in the area.
- The Easton Twilight Criterium is returning on May 27
- Throughout the day, various streets in the area will be closed to accommodate bikers and spectators
- Those interested in joining the professional race, or any of the other race activities, can sign up here
The Easton Twilight Criterium is a short, technical bike race where participants can reach speeds exceeding 40 mph. Prior to the start of the women’s and men’s professional competitions, there will be other activities, including Crayola’s Community Ride, junior, masters, and amateur races, and a one-mile footrace and wheelie competition.
"This is a terrific opportunity for local businesses to engage with the community as their support and participation is encouraged – providing racers and spectators with food, libations, entertainment and merchandise."Jared Mast, GEDP executive director
“We realize that, even on a holiday weekend, the road closures required to have an event like this inconvenience some of our Downtown residents and businesses. We have worked with our race production partners to be more strategic with a rolling system of closures to get ready for the free Community Ride presented by Crayola, which kicks off at 2:15 p.m.," said Jared Mast, executive director of the Greater Easton Department Partnership.
Being that parking is a prime problem throughout Easton even in the best of times, residents may find it tricky to traverse the area on Saturday. However, blocking off that section of the Downtown district will also allow for more community-based activities.
"We are also trying to have our series of events welcome more participants, including a wheelie competition and a one-mile dash for our sporting friends,” Mast said.
Street closures and race schedules
Thousands of people are expected in Centre Square and the Downtown area for the race, which will require the following streets to be blocked off:
• Northampton Street between Centre Square and Second Street will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Northampton Street from Centre Square to Larry Holmes Drive, Third Street from Centre Square to Ferry Street, Ferry Street between Third and Sitgreaves streets, and Sitgreaves between Church and Larry Holmes Drive will be closed from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Larry Holmes Drive between Third and Northampton streets, Northampton Street between North Fourth and Church streets, North Sitgreaves Street between Church and Northampton streets, North Second Street between Church and Northampton streets, half of Pine Street intersecting with South Third Street, and the south portion of Larry Holmes Drive will be closed from 1 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. Ferry Street intersecting with South Third Street will be one way during this time.
The race itself will start at Centre Square from the Northampton Street entry point, beginning at 2:15 p.m. Participants will round about to the left onto South Third Street, take a left onto Ferry Street, a right on South Sitgreaves Street, a left on Larry Holmes Drive, and a left rounding back to the Northampton Street finish line.
According to the GEDP, event organizers set the finish line at Northampton Street this year to provide a slight uphill finish, adding to the race dynamics while bringing more of the action to Easton’s iconic Centre Square.
Vehicular traffic into or out of the area enclosed by the race course will not be possible after 1 p.m. Detours will be posted and police will be available to direct traffic during those hours.
If you plan on going in person, the GEDP recommends hitting up one of the Downtown district’s many restaurants ... which will have table-tops course-side with bleachers for onlookers to “enjoy the scene and feel the wind as they indulge in their favorite dishes.”
For safety, spectators can only cross at designated course crossings. Riders will come around the corners quickly and close to the barricades. Spectators are advised to not lean over or hang on anything on the safety fencing around the course’s perimeter, as it protects the riders and the spectators.
“This is a terrific opportunity for local businesses to engage with the community as their support and participation is encouraged – providing racers and spectators with food, libations, entertainment and merchandise. As the Twilight Criterium draws in crowds from around the mid-Atlantic area and beyond, the racers bring excitement and energy to Easton citywide throughout the day,” Mast said.
Maps of the race courses and additional details can be found here.
Fans can also catch updates from the event at @eastontwilightcrit on Facebook and Instagram.
