Those traveling to the 15th National Banana Pudding Festival will see two changes this year: a shuttle bus system and a new traffic pattern.
Both are designed to cut down on the long lines that faced attendees at last year’s event, being held again this year at the Hickman County Ag Pavilion and Fairgrounds on October 5 and 6.
The shuttle bus system will carry festival-goers from a new parking area, in the field just outside the Agrana Fruit US fence, on Atys Way.
Shuttle riders will purchase festival admission tickets $10 for adults, $5 for children — before they board the bus, and be carried to “all the action” occurring on the festival site, Reed said.
“They’ll run every 15 minutes,” he said, of the rented buses, and will carry attendees back to their vehicles.
Those wishing to park their vehicles closer to the festival may do so in the field adjacent to the event, but a fee of $20 per vehicle will be charged.
The festival is scheduled on Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It offers entertainment, a plethora of food and games and — first thing Saturday — the National Banana Pudding Cookoff.
Reed said a new traffic pattern will be used.
Closed to festival traffic will be Hickman Springs Road, from Highway 100; and North Lower Shipp’s Bend Road.
Access to the Fairgrounds will be available by traveling Grinders Switch Road, from Highway 50 West or from Elkins Switch, near the South Central Tennessee Railroad.
Reed said the new travel paths were devised with assistance from emergency responder agencies and state transportation officials.
“Everything else has been running well,” said Reed. “We’ve been able to give back a lot to the community.”
