PORTLAND, Maine — More than 1,500 runners are expected to take part in the 35th Thanksgiving Day 4-mile road race in Portland starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, resulting in multiple road closures. The kids’ run begins at 8:30 a.m.
The following roads will be closed to traffic from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday:
— Congress Street, from High Street to Franklin Street
— Franklin Street, from Congress to Commercial Street
— Exchange Street
— Free Street
— Federal Street Extension
— Temple Street, from Congress Street to Middle Street
Volunteers and police officers will be on hand to help divert and direct traffic.
The Portland Downtown District is hosting the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Monument Square from 5 to 6:45 p.m. Friday.
For this event, Congress Street, between Preble and Elm streets, will be closed to traffic from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The closing for eastbound traffic will begin at Brown Street.
Federal Street Extension also will be closed to traffic, but only from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Also Friday evening, horse-drawn wagon rides will begin downtown from 4 to 8 p.m., picking up and dropping off from Monument Square. The rides are free to the public.