Crowds flocked to the core of the Historic Court Avenue district Friday night to experience a newly blocked-off entertainment zone that restricted vehicle traffic and allowed only pedestrians 21-and-older or minors with an accompanying guardian.
With more than 40% of those living in Polk County fully vaccinated, the DJs playing live sets to people dancing and drinking in the district felt like a long-awaited light for partiers at the end of the proverbial COVID-19 tunnel.
Starting at 9 p.m. Friday, traffic was shut off a block in each direction from the intersection of Court Avenue and West Third Street, creating an area with only five entry points:
What is the Historic Court Avenue District entertainment zone?
The entertainment zone, home to bars like the Stuffed Olive, The District and Annie s Irish Pub, extends for roughly a block in each direction from the intersection of Court Avenue and West Third Street. Polk County announced this week that from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 4, vehicles will not be allowed to enter the zone and people arriving there will have to pass through entry gates.
Security guards will check their IDs to ensure they re of drinking age 21 or older and conduct security scans with metal-detecting wands.
Police report two early morning New Year s Day stabbings in Des Moines George Shillcock, Des Moines Register
Two stabbings were reported on Third Street in Des Moines in the early morning hours of New Year s Day, though there is no known connection between them.
The first victim, 30-year-old Julio Gonzalez, was transported to Methodist Hospital after police responded at 2:25 a.m. He had stab wounds on his stomach and head, according to police.
A bartender told police Gonzalez was hit on the head with a champagne bottle on the second floor of Voodoo Lounge.
The second victim, 21-year-old Christian Watley, was found by two individuals in a parking garage near the American Outlaws Bar, which is next door to Voodoo Lounge.