Get Ready, Buffalo! Your Essential Guide to St. Patrick's Day Road Closures

Alright, Buffalo! St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means – green everything, lively spirits, and of course, our fantastic parade! But before you don your best emerald attire and head out to join the festivities, there's a little bit of important info we need to chat about: road closures.

Nobody wants to be stuck in traffic or circling endlessly when all you want to do is catch a glimpse of those marching bands and vibrant floats, right? So, let's get you squared away with the scoop on what streets will be impacted for Buffalo's grand St. Patrick's Day Parade, happening on Sunday, March 17th, 2024. The parade itself kicks off at 2:00 PM, but the street changes start much earlier.

First up, let's talk about the staging areas. These are the spots where all the participants gather before the big march, and they'll be closed down for vehicles from 11:00 AM until approximately 5:00 PM. If your usual route involves any of these, consider yourself warned!

• Delaware Avenue, specifically between North Street and Niagara Square.
• West Tupper Street, from Elmwood Avenue over to Delaware Avenue.
• Virginia Street, also from Elmwood Avenue to Delaware Avenue.
• West Chippewa Street, between Delaware Avenue and Franklin Street.
• Johnson Park, stretching from Delaware Avenue to Franklin Street.

And just to give you a complete picture, a whole host of other streets in the general parade route vicinity will also experience closures during this time. Think about Allentown, Cottage Street, Mariner, Franklin, Pearl, Elmwood, and West Huron Street – basically, if you're close to the action, expect some detours.

Now, for the main event, the parade route itself. The core section of Delaware Avenue, from Niagara Square up to North Street, will be shut down to traffic starting a bit later, from 1:30 PM until around 5:00 PM. This is when all the magic happens, so make sure you've got your spot picked out before then!

One crucial bit of advice, especially if you're thinking about driving and parking: there will be no parking allowed on Delaware Avenue between North Street and Niagara Square from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Seriously, folks, they're not kidding around with this one – any vehicles found in these spots will be towed. Save yourself the headache (and the towing fee!) and plan accordingly.

So, what does all this mean for you? In short, plan ahead! Public transportation is always a fantastic option on days like this. Imagine, no parking woes, no navigating closures, just a straightforward ride to the fun. If you must drive, give yourself plenty of extra time and be ready for detours. Better yet, embrace the walk and soak in the festive atmosphere.

Have a wonderful, safe, and gloriously green St. Patrick's Day, Buffalo! Enjoy the parade!