Winnipeg Whiteout Street Party getting even bigger

The Winnipeg Whiteout Street Party is getting even bigger.

Organizers are again expanding the space where fans can gather nearBell MTS Place for Winnipeg Jets home games during the NHL playoffs.

The next party starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday around the Winnipeg arena.

"We expect that Friday is going to be another spectacular Winnipeg Whiteout Street Party," saidDayna Spiring, president and CEO ofEconomic Development Winnipeg.The agency is co-hosting the street parties in co-ordination with True North Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates the Winnipeg Jets andBell MTS Place.

"I'm excited and I'm sure there's a number of Winnipeggers that want to be a part of it."

It's the second time organizers have had to expand the area.

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Thousands packed Donald Street to watch the Jets beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2 Wednesday night.

The first street party was held when the Jets and the Minnesota Wild met for Game 1of their first-round playoff series on April 11, a shaker thatsaw Donald Street between Portage and Graham closed off for fans.

But when an estimated 9,000 people showed up in aspace designed for 5,500, organizers decided to expandfor Game 2.

The bigger event added an extra block south of Graham, an alcohol-free zone for families at Millennium Library Park, two more viewing screensand even more vendors and washrooms.

But Winnipeg fans apparently need even more room to party.

On Wednesday organizersannounced the street party's capacity will be expandedagain this time by over 50 per cent for Friday's Game 5, with the party zone pushing right onto Graham Avenue this time around.

Spiring says the new footprint will make room for about 15,000 people, and organizers are also adding a fifth screen to make sure everyone can seethe action.

With temperaturesinthe double digits forecast for Friday and the Jets one win away from moving on to the next round of the playoffs Spiring says organizers wanted to get ahead of an expected increase in numbers.

She saysrevellers should expect to seetweaks and changes happening for future street parties during the playoffs.

"We're continually looking at ways to improve," she said.

The city says the expansion means southbound Donald Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Portage Avenue and St. Mary Avenue from 10 a.m. Friday till 1 a.m. Saturday.

Winnipeg Transit buses will also be rerouted off of Graham Avenue from Carlton Street to Smith Street starting Friday at 2:30 p.m.until the end of service.

For Transit re-route and schedule information, visit winnipegtransit.com or contact 311.

The Winnipeg Jets lead the series 3-1. A win on Friday would move them on to the second round of the playoffs.

Friday's game gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

• More on the Winnipeg Jets playoff run