Stars and Stripes Southlake is just a few days away. Tuesday, July 3, will be here before we know it. It’s an exciting event with a lot of activity, so before you come down we want to share some traffic, parking and safety tips.

Along with providing the perfect family-fun event, we also strive to provide a safe and secure event for all our visitors. The City of Southlake takes great measures to make sure all families attending the event have a safe and enjoyable experience.

“This is one of our most popular and fun events. We all look forward to Stars and Stripes,” said Police Chief James Brandon. “With that being said, Town Square will be full of people and activities. I’d like to remind everyone that while at the festivities please be aware of your surroundings. If anything causes you concern, our officers can be found throughout the event. Our primary goal is to make Stars and Stripes a safe place to enjoy the holiday for your family.”

Before you come to the event, here are some important tips to help you arrive and enjoy the event safely:

Want to avoid parking in Town Square?

Take the Shuttle: We are providing a shuttle service to and from the event.  The shuttle will be running from 3:30 p.m. to 11:55 p.m., and the pickup/drop off locations will be located at Whites Chapel United Methodist Church at 185 S. White Chapel Boulevard and Gateway Church at 700 Blessed Way.

The pickup/drop off location in Town Square will be located on Division and State Streets next to DPS Headquarters.

Use the family drop off area: There will be a family drop off at DPS Headquarters near the shuttle drop off. Please have your passengers ready to exit the vehicle when it comes to a stop. This will help alleviate traffic congestion. Drivers who are planning to use Southlake Blvd. to get home need to be aware that they will not be allowed to access Carroll Avenue towards SH 114.

Use the Uber and Lyft drop off area: This year, we’ve created a designated drop off location to help you coordinate drop off and pick up with your driver. Tell your driver to drop you off at DPS Headquarters, or 600 State St.

Traffic officers will be in the area to make sure that drivers are following the plan so that everyone gets in and out of Town Square safely and with as little delay as possible.

Planning to drive and park in the area?

Take advantage of the Granite parking garage: Parking will be available after 6:00 p.m. in the Granite parking garage located on the north side of Town Square.  The garage can be accessed on Division Street, the road that runs along the south side of DPS HQ, then traffic will be directed northbound on State Street to turn into the parking garage. Just follow the signs that will guide you into the Granite parking garage.

Entering via SH 114: Take the Carroll Avenue exit of SH 114.  Access is available on North Carroll Avenue at Federal Way and Prospect Street, between SH 114 and Southlake Blvd. (FM 1709). Drivers may also access Town Square from the eastbound service road of SH 114 at Grand Avenue and Central Avenue. It’s important to note that there will be no southbound traffic allowed from the north parking lots. All traffic will exit to the service road. Also, no parking will be allowed on the grassy areas next to the service road. “No Parking” signs will be posted and enforced.

Entering via Southlake Blvd. (FM 1709): You may either turn north on Carroll Avenue to park on the west side of Town Square; use Central Avenue to access the east side of the Square; or use the east parking garage. **Please note that the west parking garage will be closed for the event.

At the end of the event: All traffic on the west side of Town Square will exit (right-turn only) onto Carroll Avenue heading northbound. There will be NO southbound traffic out of the Square allowed onto Carroll Avenue.

All traffic on the east side of the Square from Main Street will exit onto Central Avenue southbound.  All exits from the east garage will be directed to Central Avenue to go north to the SH 114 service road to exit the Square. **The west side exits to the east garage will be closed.

Handicapped Parking in Town Square

Drivers can enter from either Prospect Street/Carroll Avenue or Central Avenue /Southlake Blvd (FM 1709). to access the handicapped parking along Main Street. Handicapped parking will be available on Main Street by Starbucks and Mi Cocina. Please be aware that the entrance at Carroll Avenue /Main Street will be designated for exit only.

Not parking in Town Square?  

Lighted crosswalks will be available and manned by Southlake officers at the following locations:

• Southlake Blvd. (FM 1709) and Central Avenue
• Southlake Blvd. (FM 1709) and Carroll Avenue
• North Carroll Avenue and Prospect Street
• North Carroll Avenue and Federal Way

If parking on the side streets off of Carroll Avenue, please remember to follow these important rules.

• To ensure everyone makes it home safely, it’s imperative that everyone uses the designated crosswalks. Crossing Southlake Blvd. (FM 1709) on foot from the Central Market area is very dangerous and PROHIBITED!  Bike officers will be patrolling the area and will take appropriate enforcement action for your safety.

• Park facing the correct way and no more than 18” from the curb.
• Do not block driveways or park in someone’s yard.
• Make sure your vehicle is not in the intersection; it will be towed.
• Be courteous to the neighborhood.

Access to Town Square before the event

• Barricades will go up early in the morning on July 3rd. The interior roads of Town Square will not be accessible by vehicle. Please plan accordingly. The parking lots and east garage will be open until full. As the lots and garage become full, they will be closed. All parking lots with the exception of the lots north of the Hilton will close no later than 7:30 p.m. There will be barricades for the duration of the event preventing traffic from traveling north on Central Avenue past Main Street.
• And most of all, WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS! Citizens on Patrol (COPs) volunteers will also be on hand to assist pedestrians at major crosswalks and to help ensure the safety of all attendees.

For more information about the event, visit www.StarsandStripesSouthlake.com.