During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the upcoming Allerton International Food Festival, which will see the closure of sections of Atherton Avenue to accommodate the event. Chris Kirk provided a live report detailing the logistics, noting that the festival will close two to three blocks between Barnes and Wallace, as well as between Holland and Kruger. This decision has raised concerns about potential traffic disruptions on Hamilton Avenue, particularly since two events are scheduled to occur simultaneously.

Kirk highlighted that while past festivals have involved more extensive street closures, the current plan is relatively minor. He referenced historical precedents, mentioning that previous iterations of the food festival, once organized by former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, had closures extending from White Plains to Boston Road.

Officials also addressed the timing of the festival, with a cautionary note regarding its overlap with Yom Kippur, a significant day in the Jewish faith. There was a clear acknowledgment of the need to communicate effectively with the community to avoid any objections related to the scheduling of the event on a holy day.

The meeting concluded with a motion passing to proceed with the festival plans, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and awareness as the event approaches.