Travelers heading to the annual Hillsville Flea Market and Gun Show during Labor Day weekend should be prepared for considerable traffic delays. The town’s popular annual event will be held Friday, September 3 through Monday, September 6. Those not attending the flea market and gun show are encouraged to avoid the area.
Thousands of visitors are expected to converge on a one-mile section of U.S. 58 Business in Hillsville. As a result, sidewalks will be crowded with pedestrians and bumper-to-bumper traffic will be moving at a crawl throughout the area. Drivers should use extra caution, watch for police directing traffic and pay attention to electronic message boards in the area.
The Virginia Department of Transportation advises travelers of the following traffic information:
Interstate 77 – exit 14 (Hillsville/Galax).
Those planning to attend the Flea Market and Gun Show are encouraged to take I-77 and use exit 14 (Hillsville/Galax) onto Route 58 Business. Congestion is expected on I-77 in this area and police may be directing traffic at the exit 14 and Route 58 Business interchange to promote safe travel. Motorists should watch for stopped vehicles in this area.
U.S. 58 Bypass western interchange with U.S. 58 Business
Motorists using the U.S. 58 Bypass’ western interchange to exit onto U.S. 58 Business should use extreme caution and watch for heavy traffic congestion. Those not attending the event and traveling westbound on the bypass should use the left lane to avoid exiting vehicles. Drivers are advised not to park on the U.S. 58 Bypass or on the ramps onto Route 58 Business. “No Parking” signs will be posted around the interchange.
U.S. 52 event traffic can use Virginia T-780 (Howlett Street) or Virginia T-1020 (West Grayson Street). Northbound U.S. 52 traffic will not be permitted to turn left onto westbound U.S. 58 Business. Southbound U.S. 52 traffic will not be allowed to make right-on-red turns at the traffic signal onto westbound U.S. 58 Business.
West Grayson Street
No left turns will be permitted from Virginia T-1020 (West Grayson Street) onto eastbound U.S. 58 Business.