MARIPOSA – Approximately 800 people are expected to be in attendance at the sold-out benefit dinner for Mariposa County Sheriff’s Deputy Rudy Mirelez, who was shot in the line of duty on Oct. 1.
The dinner is scheduled to be held at the Mariposa Fairgrounds this Saturday, Oct. 24, beginning at 5 p.m.
“We are so very grateful to our community for the love and encouragement that has been shown to Deputy Mirelez and our Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, during this difficult time,” says Officer Steven Lewis of the Mariposa Area CHP office.
“In an effort to safely support the benefit dinner, the Mariposa Area office of the California Highway Patrol is asking attendees to be mindful of ways to minimize the traffic hazards in the area.”
With the large number of anticipated attendees, parking will be limited. As with other large events in the area, traffic along Highway 49 in front of the fairgrounds, will be constricted due to vehicles parking along the shoulders. In addition, vehicles coming to and from the dinner, as well as an increase in pedestrian traffic in the area at that time, can present additional hazards.
Attendees are being asked to carpool, if possible, to reduce the total number of vehicles coming and going from the area. In addition, it is advisable to arrive early if having a parking space close to buildings A and B is a concern.
For those who are not attending, but will be traveling through the area surrounding the fairgrounds at this time, the CHP asks motorists to please reduce their speed, and be hyper-vigilant for the aforementioned potential hazards.
The California Highway Patrol will have increased traffic control signage near the fairgrounds during this event. Additional CHP units will also be on patrol in the area during the dinner to assist with any traffic-related issues that may arise. The cooperation of the community in these endeavors is greatly appreciated.
