As Philadelphia gears up for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 16, city officials have released important details regarding road closures and parking restrictions to ensure a smooth event for all attendees. The parade, which is set to begin at 11 a.m., will introduce a new route starting at 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, then proceed north before following Benjamin Franklin Parkway all the way to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In a statement obtained by the City of Philadelphia's official website, it was noted that all parade participants will start to assemble along John F. Kennedy Boulevard, from 20th Street to 16th Street, starting at 9 a.m.
This year, the celebration will be broadcast live on CW Philly 57 and will stream live on CBS News Philadelphia from noon to 3 p.m. Those unable to watch the live broadcast can catch an encore on St. Patrick's Day at noon on Philly57 and the CBS Philadelphia stream. However, those planning to drive through the city may need to reconsider their plans. Major roadways will be impacted by the parade, with closures beginning as early as 5:30 a.m. and lasting until roughly 4 p.m., including Eakins Oval (from Kelly Drive to Spring Garden Street) and several key streets from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The parade, a "rain or shine" event as stated in the city's announcement, also brings "Temporary No Parking" zones into effect from the early hours on the day of the parade along various blocks. Vehicles found parked in posted no-parking locations after 6 a.m. will be relocated, with owners advised to contact local police districts if they suspect their vehicle has been moved.
Public transportation will also be significantly affected. SEPTA buses are set to detour from normal routes throughout the Center City area, starting from 5 a.m. through approximately 5 p.m. Details for rerouted bus services are available on SEPTA's System Status Page. Regional Rail Line attendees are being encouraged not to bring along bags or satchels to avoid delays since all such items will be subject to search, and carrying cups or liquids of any kind will be prohibited.
For public safety, a list of prohibited items along the parade route include notably weapons, contraband, explosives, illicit substances, and alcohol, with the Open Container Law being strictly enforced. The city also reminds attendees to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police or call 9-1-1 immediately. Additionally, helpful preparations and safety tips for public events can be found in the Special Event Safety Guide, which fans are recommended to read prior to their arrival. Those wanting further information about the Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day parade should visit the official parade website or sign up for free text alerts from the City for live updates by texting ReadyPhila to 888-777. For press inquiries about the parade, contact Karen Boyce-McCollum at [email protected] as instructed by the city's announcement.
