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

The Ocean City Police Department is reminding citizens to expect traffic delaysthis St. Patrick’s Day, as the Delmarva Irish-American Club host their 32^ndAnnual Parade and Festival. The tradition, which has become one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades in the state, will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2013, and begins at 12 noon at 58^th Street and marches south on Coastal Highway to the 45^th 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 two lanes from 62nd Street to 43^rd Street. Northbound traffic will remain open, however, no left turns or u-turns will be allowed along the parade route from the northbound lane including 62^nd Street.

Residents and visitors are likely to see traffic delays on southbound Coastal Highway as early as 9 a.m. and should expect congestion until 2 p.m. To avoid traffic delays, viewers are urged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. and to view the parade from 58^thStreet south to 45^thStreet. Ocean City Police are highly recommending motorists entering the Town of Ocean City to use Maryland 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.