OCEAN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT REMINDING CITIZENS TO EXPECT DELAYS ON ST. PATTY’S DAY

The Ocean City Police Department is reminding citizens to expect traffic delays this St. Patrick’s Day, as the Delmarva Irish-American Club host their 31st Annual Parade and Festival. The tradition, which has become one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades in the state, will take place on March 17, 2012 and begins at 12 noon at 61st Street and marches south on Coastal Highway to the 45th Street Shopping Center.

In order to offer an ample amount of space for the parade’s participating floats, bands and motorized units, southbound traffic with be reduced to one lane from 62nd Street to 45th Street. Northbound traffic will remain open, however, no left turns or u-turns will be allowed along the parade route from the northbound lane.

Residents and visitors are likely to see traffic delays on southbound Coastal Highway as early as 10 a.m. and should expect congestion until after 2 p.m. Ocean City Police are encouraging people entering the Town of Ocean City to take Route 50, as traffic is not expected to be as heavy. In addition, heavy pedestrian traffic is also expected along the parade route and in surrounding areas. Pedestrians are encouraged to use the crosswalk and cross with caution.