Grab your best green gear, a “Kiss Me I’m Irish” pin and head to downtown Naperville Saturday morning for the St. Paddy’s Day 5K and St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but be ready to find many streets closed and parking restrictions in preparation for the events.
The city of Naperville is reminding residents to be prepared to find alternate routes around downtown and alternate parking options Saturday as no parking zones and road closures will be in effect.
The St. Paddy’s Day 5K race begins at 8 a.m. at the intersection of West Street and Jackson Avenue. While, the parade begins at 10 a.m. at Naperville North High School, located at 899 N. Mill St. The parade will continue south on Mill Street, east on Jefferson Avenue, south on Main Street and west on Water Street to the Naperville Municipal Center.
Streets along the race and parade route will be closed at about 7:15 a.m. until about 11:30 a.m. The race and parade route only will be a no parking, tow zone from 5 a.m. to noon and will be posted accordingly, according to the city.
Race and parade route streets are re-opened to traffic as soon as the Naperville Police Department determines it is safe. Motorists should expect delays through the morning hours in and around the race and parade area and take alternate routes or allow extra time to get to their destination.
Residents seeking more information on the closures can find the times and locations of the parade and race street closures, parking restrictions and tow-away zones on a color-coded map on the city’s website. The map requires Adobe Acrobat reader to view. Parking is available for event participants and spectators throughout the downtown area. For more information on parking in downtown Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us/downtownparking.aspx.
The city also has a color-coded accessibility plan for the parade available at www.naperville.il.us/stpatricks.aspx. In addition, an accessible seating area has been designated on Jefferson Avenue, west of Webster Street, on the southwest corner of this intersection.