NORTH BEACH — Drivers and residents along the North Beach waterfront will lose access to Bay Avenue for much of Saturday, Dec. 5, when the town shuts down seven blocks of its main bayfront street and a parallel avenue for the annual Christmas parade.
The town published its parade route, closure and parking plan on Nov. 12. The parade steps off at noon, but the closures start six hours earlier, which means anyone who parks on the affected blocks overnight or plans a morning trip to the boardwalk will need to plan around them.
Groups that want to be in the parade have less time. The town set Wednesday, Nov. 18, as the deadline for community groups, schools and businesses to complete the online participation form.
What closes, and when
According to the town, these streets will be closed by 6 a.m. Dec. 5:
- Dayton Avenue between 1st and 7th streets, where the parade lines up
- Bay Avenue from 1st Street to 7th Street, the parade route
- 1st Street between Chesapeake and Bay avenues
- 2nd, 3rd and 5th streets at Bay Avenue
The town’s notice marks the early closures as resident access only.
A second set of closures begins at noon and will come and go as the parade moves. The intersection of 1st Street and Chesapeake Avenue will close intermittently so marchers can cross on their way to Bay Avenue. Eastbound 7th Street at Chesapeake Avenue will also close at times so participants can leave the route safely.
Chesapeake Avenue is the main north-south road through town, so drivers passing through North Beach around midday should expect short stops at both ends of the route.
Parking and staging
Parade units will stage on Dayton Avenue. The town said participants already registered have received their lineup assignments.
For spectators, the town said paid parking and donation parking will be available at locations marked on its event map, which is posted with the notice. The notice does not list parking prices or say when the closed streets will reopen.
The parade itself runs along Bay Avenue and, according to the town, will include floats, marching bands, classic cars and a visit from Santa Claus. It is free to watch. The town said Starbucks in Dunkirk will provide free coffee at the pavilion.
Questions about the parade or the closures can be directed to North Beach Town Hall through the town’s website.
