UPDATE: Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade Traffic Information

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 32nd 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 Saturday, March 16, 2013, and begins at 12 noon at 58th 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 will be reduced to one lane from 62nd Street to 43rdStreet. Northbound traffic will remain open, however, no left turns or U-turns will be allowed along the parade route from the northbound lane including 62nd Street.

Residents and visitors will see traffic delays on southbound Coastal Highway as early as 9 a.m. and should expect congestion until after 2 p.m. To avoid traffic delays, viewers and visitors are urged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. and to view the parade from 58th Street south to 45th Street. 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.