NYC Turkish Day Parade 2018: Start Time, Street Closures

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — One of the best things about New York City is that it's home to communities that can trace their lineage to hundreds of countries around the world. On Saturday, May 19, New York City's Turkish community will hold their annual parade in Midtown Manhattan.

The parade is organized by the Federation of Turkish American Associations and has been going on for more than three decades. May 19 is a day of special importance for the Turkish community because it marks the day when founding father Mustafa Kemal Atatürk launched the nation's War of Independence following World War I.

Whether you are interested in attending the parade or want to avoid it on Saturday here's some information about the parade.

What time does the parade start and end?

This year's Turkish Day Parade is set to begin around 10 a.m. and end around 6 p.m., according to the NYPD.

What's the parade route?

The parade will begin on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Marchers will walk down the avenue from West 53rd Street to West 47th Street. Then marchers will turn onto West 47th Street and head east until Second Avenue.

Which roads are closed?

Here's a list of all roads that will be closed during the parade, courtesy of the NYPD.

Formation

• West 53rd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• West 52nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• West 51st Street between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue

Route

• Madison Avenue between 53th Street and 47th Street
• 47th Street between Madison Avenue and 2nd Avenue

Dispersal & Festival

• 47th Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue
• 45th Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue

Photo by Steve Parkins/REX/Shutterstock