Santa Clara's historic downtown prepares for a community celebration on Saturday, October 7. The city will host the Parade of Champions, Farmer’s Market, Community Village, and Salsa in the Streets as per Santa Clara Police Department, demonstrating the city's community spirit.
To kick off the day, the Farmer’s Market will open at 8 a.m., followed by the Community Village at 9 a.m. The Parade of Champions will march from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Salsa in the Streets will wrap up the festivities starting at 1:30 p.m.
Event attendees should be prepared for temporary parking restrictions and street closures, as advised by the Santa Clara Police Department. "No Parking" signs will be posted along the parade route and improperly parked vehicles will face potential ticketing and towing, with fines ranging from $150 to $200.
Towed vehicles are to be located at either Lima Towing at 3591 Thomas Road or Unique Towing at 416 Aldo Avenue. The parade route is expected to cover one mile, starting at Monroe Street and Market Street, heading north along Monroe Street, turning right at Harrison Street, and concluding at Washington and Harrison Streets.
From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., streets including Market Street, Harrison Street, Fremont Street, Washington Street, and a portion of Monroe Street will be closed; Monroe Street will then be partially closed from Benton Street to Homestead Road from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Alternative routes include El Camino Real, Lincoln, and Lafayette Streets.
ADA parking will be available at 1285 Homestead Road. Other attendees can park on the streets or the Santa Clara University lot at 1063 Alviso Street. Parade participants can park on the streets or at Buchser Middle School, located at 1111 Bellomy Street. Bus parking will be at 1000 Lafayette Street.
Residents and businesses along the parade route will need to prepare to adjust their schedules, and should not expect vehicular "in and out" privileges between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Only emergency vehicles will have access to the event footprint during this timeframe.
Event planners are encouraging attendees to use alternative transportation options including walking, cycling, carpooling, ride-sharing, and public transportation to reduce congestion and environmental impact. It is also important for attendees to be respectful of residential areas by not blocking driveways, fire hydrants, and crosswalks, and promptly disposing of trash.
