Pardall Road will host an opening festival today to celebrate the end of the extensive renovations that have plagued the street for months.

The event will block traffic on the road from 4 to 7 p.m., and is designed to unveil the “new and improved” Pardall Road. The lengthy project to revamp the Pardall streetscape began last summer, and concluded this week with the installation of several palm trees.

According to Jeff Lindgren of the Santa Barbara County Redevelopment Agency, the festival will begin with an opening presentation of the road, and feature local businesses and live music.

“We will set aside the first hour or so to have the ribbon cutting ceremony and speakers,” Lindgren said.

The opening will also feature sixteen banners created by the students in Professor Kim Yasuda’s Art Studio 185KY class.

“[The banners] were designed to represent the unique culture of Isla Vista,” Lindgren said. “Some represent Anisq’ Oyo, some show scenes of students on the beach, some reference raccoons, bicycles or seagulls.”

According to Yasuda, the course — which was offered during Winter Quarter — allowed students to participate in a public art project expressing what Isla Vista means to them.

“[This project] launches a partnership between students and businesses, giving a sense of community and that more that just school happens,” Yasuda said.

According to Lindgren, the festival is expected to draw a large crowd, with over 300 people committed to attending the event on Facebook.

“It sounds like it’s got a pretty big turnout,” Lindgren said. “The reaction has been good and I hope it’ll set standards for other events…It’ll be free and fun.”

Local businesses — including Miss Behavin’, The Isla Vista Food Co-Op, Sam’s To-Go, I.V. Drip and Precious Slut — will have booths on the street to furnish attendees with coupons, food, drinks and other items. During the event, a live jazz band comprised primarily of UCSB students will perform and DJs will be spinning in between sets. Lindgren also said 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr is among the county officials who plan to speak at today’s event.