NYC African American Day Parade: Route, Street Closures

HARLEM, NY — Harlem's changing, but it's still the capital of African-American culture in the United States. That culture will be celebrated Sunday, Sept. 16 during the 49th Annual African American Day Parade.

This year's parade theme is "culture is key" and grand marshals include renowned dancer and founder of the Dance Theater of Harlem Arthur Mitchell, NY1 news anchor Cheryl Wills, radio host Tom Joyner, broadcast journalist Ann Tripp and hip hop icon Doug E. Fresh a.k.a the "Human Beat Box."

"We will be honoring individuals and organizations that have made key contributions to furthering the dignity, determination and excellence of African American Community & Culture, in the fields of dance, theater, music, movies & Film, television, broadcasting, literature, fashion, technology, sports and more," the parade's website reads.

Whether you're going to the parade or avoiding it, here's everything you need to know:

Parade start:

This year's parade is set to kick off around 1 p.m. and run until 6 p.m.

Parade route:

This year's parade will take up a 25-block stretch of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. The parade starts at 111th street and stretches to 136th street, according to organizers.

Street closures:

With any parade of this size and magnitude a number of streets will be closed down. Here's a full list of street closures provided by the NYPD.

Formation:

• 111th Street between Frederick Douglas Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard
• 112th Street between Frederick Douglas Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard
• 113th Street between Frederick Douglas Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard
• St. Nicholase Avenue between 113th Street and 116th Street.

Route:

• Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard between 110th Street and 136th Street

• Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard between 136th Street and 141st Street
• 135th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard
• 136th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard
• 137th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard

• 126th Street between Lenox Avenue and Frederick Douglas Boulevard
• Frederick Douglas Boulevard between 127th Street and 128th Street (Eastside)
• Malcolm X Boulevard between 132nd Street and 133rd Street (Westside)
• Malcolm X Boulevard between 136th Street and 140th Street

Additional roads may be closed.

Getting to the parade:

Taking public transit is the best way to get to the African American Day Parade, especially considering the number of streets closed off to cars.

A number of subway lines will take parade goers near the route, including the A, B, C, 2, 3, 4 and 5 lines, which make stops at 110th, 116th, 125th and 135th streets. After getting off the train just walk to Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard to get to the parade route.

Photo by David McNew/Getty Images News/Getty Images