University of Iowa Parade: Schedule and Delays

From the City of Iowa City

The University of Iowa Homecoming Parade, scheduled this Friday, October 4 in downtown Iowa City, will result in several street closures, traffic delays, and large crowds in the downtown area. The City of Iowa City reminds drivers to watch for no-parking signage on the parade route on Friday to avoid being towed. The City also advises commuters and other drivers who are not planning to attend the parade to find alternate routes out of the downtown area to avoid delays that will be caused while the parade is in effect. Traffic in the downtown area starts to get congested at around 3 p.m., so drivers are urged to plan accordingly.

PARADE ROUTE
The parade, which is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m., will kick off at the corner of Washington and Gilbert Streets, near City Hall, proceeding west on Washington Street for three blocks. At Clinton Street, it will turn north for two blocks. At Jefferson Street, it will turn east, go one block, and then turn south on Dubuque Street for one block. At the intersection of Dubuque and Iowa Avenue, the parade will head east for two blocks, concluding at the intersection of Iowa Avenue and Gilbert Street.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Iowa City Police urge parents or guardians of toddler-aged children to keep a close eye on their children, and to keep them in very close proximity, within an arm's length. Children have a natural curiosity and desire to approach mascot or cartoon characters, which can create a dangerous situation around tractors and trucks that are pulling floats. 

STREET CLOSURES
Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic along the parade route and parade-staging area as follows:

Beginning Friday at 4 p.m., the following streets will be closed to accommodate the staging area:
• Van Buren Street (between Market and College)
• Johnson Street (between Market and College)
• College Street (between Van Buren and Dodge)
• Washington Street (between Gilbert and Dodge)
• Iowa Avenue (between Gilbert and Dodge)
• Jefferson Street (between Gilbert and Dodge)

At 4:30 p.m., the following streets along the parade route will be closed to vehicular traffic:
• Clinton Street (between Market and Burlington)
• Dubuque Street (between Jefferson and Washington)
• Washington Street (between Clinton and Gilbert)
• Iowa Avenue (between Clinton and Gilbert)

At 5:30 p.m., the final two street closures will occur:
• Gilbert Street (between Market and College, and at the intersection with Washington)
• Jefferson Street (between Madison and Gilbert)

At the conclusion of the parade, approximately 7:30 to 8 p.m., most streets will reopen and normal traffic will resume. The two exceptions will be Clinton Street, between Washington and Jefferson Streets, and Iowa Avenue, between Clinton and Dubuque Streets, which will remain closed until 11 p.m. to accommodate additional events on the Pentacrest. 

VEHICLE TOWING
Signs will be placed along the parade route and staging areas that will indicate when the streets will be closed. Vehicles that block parade areas by remaining on the street after posted street closure times are in effect will be towed. In some areas, towing will begin as early as 12:30 p.m.Owners whose cars have been towed will have to go to the Police Department at City Hall, 410 E. Washington Street, to obtain a vehicle release.

PARKING RAMPS / EXITING DOWNTOWN
Police officers will try to assist motorists who wish to leave the downtown area prior to the start of the parade. However, once it gets underway, vehicles will not be allowed onto the parade route until it's over. 

Drivers who park in the downtown area who do not plan to attend the parade may want to make alternate parking arrangements for Friday. Vehicles that are parked in Tower Place Ramp will be able to exit until 5:30 p.m. After that, they will have to remain in the ramp until the conclusion of the parade. Customers that have parked in the lower level of Chauncey Swan Ramp will be able to exit to Burlington Street via the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center parking lot. Vehicles parked on the upper level of Chauncey Swan will also be able to exit to Burlington Street, via Van Buren Street.

TRANSIT
The City's Transit interchange will be relocated to the Court Street Transportation Center on Court Street, between Dubuque Street and Clinton Street, for the entire day.

OTHER EVENTS
• The Senior Center, 28 S. Linn Street, will hold its third annual Mac & Cheese Fundraising Dinner prior to the start of the parade. Serving begins at 4 p.m. Dine at the center, or take the meals to-go to enjoy on the parade route. Tickets are $10 per person. The meal includes gourmet mac and cheese, side salad, breadsticks, and dessert. Proceeds will help fund Senior Center operations.

• Following the parade, head to the Pentacrest to watching the coronation of the 2013 Homecoming King and Queen, and then stay for a free concert sponsored by SCOPE Productions. For additional information regarding Homecoming festivities, visit http://homecoming.uiowa.edu.