Charleston City Council approved temporary street closures for multiple events happening in the coming months on Tuesday evening.  

The council unanimously approved street closures for a Leader in Me Celebration, a Halloween parade held by the Carl Sandburg Elementary School from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 27. The parade will start and end at the front of the elementary school.  

The following streets will be temporarily closed:  

• Reynolds Drive beginning at Carl Sandburg Elementary School and continuing south to Warren Avenue. 
• East on Warren Avenue to Meadowlake Drive 
• North on Meadowlake Drive to Grant Avenue 
• West to Reynolds Drive 
• South on Reynolds Drive, ending at Carl Sandburg Elementary School.  

Charleston Mayor Brandon Combs said that “they have already notified CPD and then they’re going to notify the neighbors along the route in advance.” 

The council also unanimously approved street closures for the Charleston Foot Race, a 40-mile relay from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 5. The foot race is being hosted by the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department.  

Portions of Reynolds Drive and McComb Street will be temporarily closed to traffic and parking in order to facilitate the race, with the race beginning at Carl Sandburg Elementary School.  

The 40-mile relay can be run individually or with up to four runners, according to the official race website. Each individual or team is allowed a support vehicle during the relay race.  

The council also unanimously approved street closures for the annual Christmas in the Heart of Charleston celebration from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 3. The following streets will be closed to traffic:  

• Monroe Avenue from 5th Street to 8th Street 
• 6th Street from Monroe Avenue to Harrison Avenue 
• Jackson Avenue from 5th Street to 8th Street 
• VanBuren Avenue from 6th Street to 7th Street  
• 7th Street from Harrison Avenue to Madison Avenue  

Christmas in the Heart of Charleston is a family-friendly community event that will be held on the Charleston square. The celebration will feature a holiday parade, performances, free carriage rides and more, according to Charleston, Ill. website.   

Kyara Morales-Rodriguez can be reached at 581-2812 or at knmoralesrodriguez@eiu.edu.