Highway 140 partially reopens as Mariposa County Fair kicks off amid Colorado Fire
MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Mariposa County Fair is underway as firefighters continue battling the Colorado Fire near Yosemite National Park.
Highway 140, a major route into Mariposa and Yosemite, reopened to one lane Friday morning after closures caused by the fire. Traffic control points remain in place between the Yosemite Bug Hostel and Briceburg Road, and California Highway Patrol officers are escorting groups of vehicles through the area while crews continue working along the roadway.
Fire officials are advising drivers to expect delays and to watch for emergency personnel and equipment.
The partial reopening comes as the Mariposa County Fair and Homecoming begins its Labor Day weekend run.
Fair Director Leslie Foley said the event represents months of work for local children showing livestock and participating in competitions.
"They spend all year getting ready for this with their animals," Foley said.
The fair is expected to draw both local families and visitors traveling through Mariposa on their way to Yosemite.
When Highway 140 closed earlier this week, businesses along Mariposa's main corridor saw a drop in traffic.
"Traffic is definitely slowed down. People passing through has definitely, it's all slowed down a bit since the fire began," said Alyssa Leanos, an employee at Hillside Glass.
With one lane now open, local businesses are hopeful visitors will stop in while traveling through town or heading to the fairgrounds.
Foley said favorable weather and a full schedule of entertainment should help attract visitors throughout the weekend.
"We have everything. We have great entertainment. We've got perfect weather this year. So, we'll show them the best time they'll have," Foley said.
The Mariposa County Fair runs through Labor Day at the Mariposa Fairgrounds.
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