City officials and area business owners will join together Friday, December 5 for a ribbon cutting to signify the reopening of Hypolita St. following an eight month closure due to extensive utility work and a complete redesign of the streetscape. Then, following the brief ceremony, the Hypolita Festival begins.

The ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the intersection of Hypolita St. and St. George St.  Following the brief ceremony and continuing until 9 p.m., is the Hypolita Festival including live music and an array of specials, discounts and giveaways from area businesses.

The festival includes performances by local entertainers on two outdoor stages – one located at Hypolita St. and St. George St. and the other adjacent to the Spice and Tea Exchange, 59 Hypolita St.

The reopening of Hypolita St. coincides with First Friday Art Walk and is the day before one of the city’s busiest days, which includes the St. Augustine Christmas Parade and the British Nightwatch. The parade is Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m. and the British Nightwatch is at 8 p.m.

The reopening of Hypolita marks the completion of the first phase of the Downtown Improvement District project which includes the rehabilitation of underground street utilities and redesign of the streetscape of Hypolita St., Treasury St. and Spanish St.