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A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Saturday afternoon to formally re-open Fulton Street in downtown Fresno.

The Fulton Street Reconstruction Project lasted nearly a year and a half, converting the Fulton Street Mall from a pedestrian shopping center to a street with a two-way street and parking for cars.

Over that time, Fulton Street was choked with fencing to direct patrons of businesses away from the construction areas, and many businesses there suffered severe losses of customers — some to the point that they went out of business.

The changes are intended draw in more patrons who would not have to park far away from restaurants, shops and other businesses in the downtown shopping district.

Saturday’s event will start at 3 p.m., with a procession of cars carrying local VIPs to the ribbon cutting at the intersection of Fulton and Mariposa streets. After that, the VIPs will get back into their cars to complete their trip as the first cars to drive the entire six-block length of the reconstructed Fulton Street.

After that, a number of events and activities are planned along the street, including “Draggin’ The Main,” a classic and custom car show that will cruise Fulton Street from 4-6 p.m. A number of pop-up shops and restaurants will be open in vacant spaces along the street. There will be two stages with live music throughout the day.

VIPs expected to attend the event include Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, former Mayor Ashley Swearengin, City Councilman Oliver Baines and U.S. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.