BROOKINGS — Part of Main Avenue in downtown Brookings will be closed to vehicle traffic this Hobo Day to help ensure the safety of people celebrating South Dakota State University’s homecoming.

Main Avenue from Third to Fifth streets will be closed to vehicles from 6 a.m. Oct. 12 to 6 a.m. Oct. 13. Third to Fifth streets is essentially from Skinner’s Pub to Nick’s Hamburger Shop.

Rideshare drivers are encouraged to pick up customers at the Third or Fifth street intersections of Main Avenue. Those east-west intersections will be open to through traffic. 

The Fourth Street and Main Avenue intersection will be closed.

“Safety is my top priority,” Brookings Police Chief Michael Drake said. 

“Blocking vehicle traffic for a few blocks on Main Avenue will allow people to walk freely without the risk of a motorist not seeing them cross the street.”

Main Avenue is a two-lane street with parking allowed on both sides, which can make it difficult to see pedestrians when they cross the street without using the crosswalks, Drake said. That becomes a greater concern on Hobo Day, which typically attracts an influx of visitors to downtown.

The downtown portion of Main Avenue is closed to traffic every Hobo Day for the parade. However, the street has reopened afterward, usually by noon.

This will be the first time, at least in recent memory, that the street has been off limits to vehicles all day.

“We hope everybody will understand and appreciate the reason for the change,” Drake said. We want people to enjoy themselves on Hobo Day and be safe.”