Mule Camp Market returns Friday

GAINESVILLE - The three-day Mule Camp Market gets underway Friday in downtown Gainesville and venders and exhibitors got busy Thursday afternoon setting up for the weekend-long event.

As usual it will feature various mountain arts and crafts, music and food, as well as numerous activities designed especially for youngsters, such as a petting zoo.

A number of downtown streets will be closed for the event, starting at 5 p.m. Thursday and continuing through 10 p.m. Sunday:

*Washington Street at Green Street (barricade with limited access for the U.S. Courthouse to be manned by the Jaycees)

*Washington Street at Maple Street

*Spring Street at Green Street

*Spring Street at Maple Street

*Main Street at Broad Street (to prevent vehicles from traveling north on Main Street except for users of the Georgia Mountain Center parking deck and Hunt Tower tenants)

*Main Street at alley behind north block of square

*Bradford Street at alley behind north block of square

All downtown Gainesville businesses will remain open during regular business hours on festival days.

The festival is sponsored by the Gainesville Jaycees.