Valets expected to drive problems from June Fete

University no longer permits parking on fields.

By: David Campbell
   "A Fair to Remember," the 50th annual June Fete in support of The Medical Center at Princeton, will feature some innovative parking when the field opens at 9 a.m. June 7 — valet parking, that is.
   Heavy rains and mud caused problems with parking for Fete organizers last June. Fete patrons were formerly allowed to park on the athletic fields closest to Washington Road, but because of the soggy conditions, Princeton University officials decided last year that parking there would be inappropriate.
   As a result, Fete organizers were forced to quickly implement a backup plan with patrons parking in various university parking lots and being shuttled to-and-fro with school buses.
   But despite their efforts, traffic on Washington Road was backed up to Route 1 and Fete attendance suffered, according to Fete co-chair Bettie Greber.
   This year, the Auxiliary of The Medical Center at Princeton, which organizes the annual daylong fund-raising event at the university’s Washington Road athletic fields, worked with university officials to come up with a solution that includes valet parking, Ms. Greber said.
   Tickets for valet parking are $10 a car, and they can be bought at the field on the day of the event or in advance from the hospital’s gift shop, which Ms. Greber said she recommends in order to make things go more quickly. There will also be a holding area for purchases, she said.
   "We think it will be great for families with kids," Ms. Greber said. "We’re probably the only fair around with valet parking."
   The Fete will also offer free shuttle service from university parking lots. The locations of those lots have yet to be advertised, the co-chair continued.
   In addition, Fete organizers have arranged to shuttle to the field participants in the annual 5K and 10K races and the 1-mile fun run from university lots early in the morning. Limited passes to park at the field are available to vendors, entertainers and the handicapped for $5, Ms. Greber said.
   Parking opens at 8 a.m., and the field will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the establishment of the Breast Health Center at the Medical Center.