Thousands are expected to descend upon Yorktown for the arrival of the French tall ship Hermione, prompting local officials to close down one block of Water Street from Thursday through Monday.
Water Street between Buckner and Ballard streets will be closed to vehicular traffic on those days, while Zweybrucken Road will be closed to vehicles from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday.
Drivers on Water Street between Mathews and Buckner streets will need a permit to use the road from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. York County has also closed the beach picnic area to public vehicles between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday.
The ship is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors to Yorktown each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to Steve Hornsby, the president of the Watermen’s Museum. Hermione is scheduled to arrive at around 8:30 a.m. Friday and will leave on Sunday afternoon.
County Spokeswoman Gail Whittaker recommended anyone coming to Yorktown during one of the days the ship is in town should come early.
“The earlier people can get here, the better,” she said. “Please have patience.”
She also encouraged visitors to consider using the bus system that will be in place Friday at Endview Plantation.
Beginning at 7 a.m. Friday, visitors can park at the plantation and take a bus to the Yorktown Victory Center, from which point they can walk to Yorktown. The buses will run from Endview Plantation until 2 p.m. and will run back to the plantation until 6:30 p.m.
Yorktown will be subject to several parking restrictions during the ship’s visit. Friday will see the most restrictions as it is a workday for county employees, many of whom work in Yorktown.
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