Expecting up to 25,000 for food, art and entertainment
By: Courtney Gross
As thousands of people prepare to descend on Princeton for the annual Communiversity festival on Saturday, township and borough residents should also prepare for road closures and congested streets and sidewalks.
The sprawling town-gown event requires the closing of sections of Nassau Street and Witherspoon Street as well as sections of Palmer Square East and West that are closest to Nassau Street.
Princeton Borough Police Lt. Sharon Papp said the department is preparing for 20,000 to 25,000 people and intends to bring in extra officers on overtime to control the crowds.
Sponsored by the Arts Council of Princeton and Princeton University, Communiversity has been a staple of Princeton’s springtime activities. The festival will bring more than 160 vendors and artists booths to downtown Princeton with food, art and activities.
"Obviously Communiversity has been going on for a long time, we have a sense of expectations," said Arts Council Program and Public Relations Coordinator Michael LaRiccia. "What people should expect is large crowds of people and to get an experience of high quality arts performances and activities."
Nassau Street will morph into a pedestrian highway with four stages for live music, tons of activities sponsored by local organizations and independent art for sale.
Not to mention, samplings of food from around the world.
Along with the crowds, those attending should expect an expanded program this year with activities that correlate with the arts-themed weekend starting Friday and extending through Sunday. Both Westminster Choir College and McCarter Theater are hosting events throughout the weekend that highlight the arts as is the Arts Council of Princeton and other community organizations.
But, still, the major bash is Saturday from noon until 5 p.m.
Lt. Papp said streets would close beginning at 11 a.m. and remain vehicle free until 6 p.m. Nassau Street will be closed from Washington Road to Chambers Street, where a taxi stand will be stationed. Witherspoon Street will also be closed from the intersection of Nassau Street to Paul Robeson Place and Wiggins Street.
To create better access to the municipal parking garage, Spring Street will be made a two-way avenue for the day, Lt. Papp said.
As for parking, it is expected that the borough will be able to handle the enormous influx of visitors with its meter spots, the Spring Street garage and the Palmer Square garages on Hulfish and Chambers streets, Lt. Papp said. University lots 10 and 10A off Washington Road and William Street will also be available for Communiversity.
Because the crowd comes and goes, it is likely parking will not be an issue.
Last year, Lt. Papp said, there was little to no problem.
"People will be able to plan accordingly," Lt. Papp said. But, "unfortunately when you close down a state highway some people will not know where they’re going," she added of the extra police details.
Even so, Mr. LaRiccia encourages those intending to attend Communiversity to carpool.
Mr. LaRiccia said he expects all of the businesses and restaurants in Princeton to "do well," and the Arts Council has focused on encouraging visitors to linger longer and possibly dine out in one of the downtown restaurants.
To lure Communiversity patrons in, Mr. LaRiccia said, Witherspoon Grill will have live music in the plaza adjacent to the Princeton Public Library in the evening following the major activities.

