Ride the shuttle to summer arts festival

When the Brookings Summer Arts Festival opens in Pioneer Park this Saturday and Sunday, plenty of cars will spend an indefinite amount of time circling the park, hoping to snatch up a nearby parking spot.

Avoiding that frustration is simple, festival organizers say, thanks to several shuttle buses they have lined up to carry people to and from the park.

Shuttle buses will run continually on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This year, there is just one starting point for all shuttle riders: the parking lot of First Bank & Trust east branch, located at 2233 Sixth St. (just east of 22nd Avenue).

Shuttle bus rides are $1 each way.

No wheelchair-accessible bus will be available, but many handicap parking spaces have been reserved on both the east and west ends of the park. Gate guards on First Avenue will direct cars needing handicap access to the appropriate spots.