Staunton: Through traffic and parking restricted for Queen City Mischief & Magic

A portion of downtown Staunton will be closed to through traffic starting at 5 p.m., Friday, September 27 and through 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 29 for the Queen City Mischief & Magic festival.

Parking restrictions on several downtown streets will go into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday and continue through 7 p.m., Sunday. The parking impact extends beyond the street closures in a few locations to help with traffic flow. Maps are available online.

Parking will not be allowed on the following streets:

Augusta Street from Johnson to Frederick streets
Byers Street
Beverley Street from Lewis to Market streets
New Street from Johnson to Frederick streets
Market Street from Frederick to Hotel 24 South
Lewis Street from Frederick St to Middlebrook Ave
Johnson Street from Lewis St to Church St
Central Ave from Frederick St to Beverley Street (limited access)
The Wharf parking lot will be closed for the festival, but all other downtown public parking facilities, including New Street and Johnson Street parking garages, Hardy and RMA parking lots, will be open to the public on a first-come basis. Downtown residents are encouraged to find a convenient location in the public parking facilities, as visitors are encouraged to park at a satellite location.

The Staunton Police Department has started posting fliers on vehicles parked downtown in advance of the event as a reminder of street closures and parking restrictions. Vehicles in no-parking zones after 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 will be subject to towing.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to use satellite parking at the former Staunton Mall, 90 Lee Jackson Highway, on Saturday. Shuttles will run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. from the former Staunton Mall to downtown on Saturday only.

Parking for individuals with disabilities will be available at City National Bank, 38 N. Central Avenue, and at Central United Methodist Church, 14 N. Lewis Street.

The city encourages everyone to prepare for significant traffic delays and disruptions in and around downtown and to plan travel routes accordingly.

During the event, the Staunton Police Department will use a drone in compliance with FAA guidelines for drone usage by a law enforcement agency.

Shop and Dine Out in Downtown will be suspended for the weekend of QCMM, but will resume the following weekend, Friday Oct. 4. The 2024 SDOD season will run through October 2024.