Plainfield's Annual Homecoming Event: What To Know About Road Closings, Parade Route

PLAINFIELD, IL — Road closures will begin early Saturday in preparation for the 73rd Annual Plainfield Community Homecoming Parade, police reminded residents.

"As with every Homecoming Parade, the event will cause traffic congestion and delays in and around
Downtown Plainfield and Plainfield High School – Central Campus (PHSCC)," police said in a news release. "Traffic lanes on Route 59 or Route 126 will not be closed, however, motorists should be advised that traffic congestion and delays are expected. All roads are expected to reopen by 11:30 a.m. Unless participating in or viewing the parade, motorists are asked to avoid the downtown area on Saturday morning."

At 6 a.m. Saturday, police will begin closing James Street between Commercial Street and Fort Beggs Drive. PHSCC and Fort Beggs Drive will be restricted to parade entries only.

At 8 am., police will begin closing these roads:

• Lockport Street from Route 59 to James Street.
• James Street from Lockport Street to Fort Beggs Drive.
• Ottawa Street from James Street to Route 59.
• Fox River Street from Lockport Street to Commercial Street.
• Des Plaines Street from the alley north of Lockport Street to Commercial Street.
• Illinois Street from Lockport Street to Commercial Street.
• Commercial Street from James Street to Route 59.
• Fort Beggs Drive from James Street to Pratt Lane.

Parade staging and lineup is designated for these areas:

Band Drop-off (Buses)

• Plainfield Central High School, northeast lot. Enter from eastbound Fort Beggs Drive via River Road.

Youth Sports Clubs

• Staging will be on James Street. Participants should plan to meet at a designated location and walk to their assigned location on James Street. A limited number of pedestrians can be dropped off in front of PHSCC via Fort Beggs Drive. All traffic MUST come from River Road northbound to eastbound Fort Beggs Drive.
• Overflow parking, if applicable, will be assigned to the north parking lot of PHSCC.

Homecoming Court, Escort Vehicles, Designated VIPs

• Staging in the parking lot north of the football field.

All other parade entries

• Access James Street via northbound River Road. You will receive your assignment at the corner of Fort Beggs Drive and James Street.

The parade will step off from Plainfield Central at 9 a.m.

It will travel north on James Street to Commercial Street; east on Commercial Street to Illinois Street; north on Illinois Street to Ottawa Street; west on Ottawa Street to Fox River Street; north on Fox River Street to Chicago Street; east on Chicago Street to Illinois Street; north on Illinois Street to Lockport Street; west on Lockport Street to James Street; and south on James Street, ending at James Street and Commercial Street.

After the parade, band/bus pickup will be in the northeast parking lot of PHSCC. Parade float entries can either exit the area via southbound River Road or eastbound Fort Beggs Drive, or end in the south parking lot along Fort Beggs Drive. All walkers from the parade should be picked up at Greg Bott Park (formerly Renwick Community Park), at 24550 W. Renwick Road.

A limited amount of handicapped parking will be available in the Illinois Street Municipal Parking Lot, the Des Plaines Street municipal parking lot, and on the west side of Des Plaines Street between Route 126 and Oak Street.

No parking will be permitted along the parade route beginning at 1 a.m. Sept. 20, until the
conclusion of the parade.