Events = big traffic snarls in Appleton

APPLETON - Drivers coming to downtown Appleton Friday will see plenty of orange and maybe some red.

"Leave early, yep, leave early and be patient,” said Sgt. Pat DeWall, Appleton Police Department.

By mid-afternoon, the major thoroughfare through downtown Appleton will be closed. License to Cruise rolls into downtown. Just across the river, Michelle Obama makes a campaign stop at Lawrence University's Alexander Gym. The dueling events mean the Appleton Police Department will have its hands full.

"It's a little bit more of a challenge but we were able to shift some resources around internally to make sure that we had adequate staffing at both,” said DeWall.

Officials with Lawrence say Alexander Gym can hold 1,300 people. But will actually fit many more Friday because the event will be standing room only. Street parking around the gym will be at a premium and getting there could be a challenge.

Portions of College Avenue will close as early as one o’clock on Friday with the entire section between Lawe Street and Richmond Street closed by three o'clock, meaning parking will be at a premium for both events.

"Park and ride is what we recommend, Valley Transit does an awesome job for us. They run every 30 minutes Friday night and Saturday night and it's only a quarter to ride the bus.,” said Susan Vanden Heuvel, Octoberfest.

Vanden Heuvel says the visit by Michelle Obama and fans for the Packers game this weekend could actually be a boost for the annual festival.

"We already know there are visiting Saints fans in town as well when they arrive on Saturday and it's just a lot going on in our community and it just shows how vibrant we are,” she said.

And it shows the good times that can be had… if you've got the patience to get there.