Rochester Prepares for St. Patrick's Day Parade
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Rochester is busy preparing for this weekend St. Patrick's Day festivities. The annual parade is Saturday at 12:30 along East Avenue and Alexander Street.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets as the parade goes along East and Alexander to Main Street. Friday, volunteers will be putting up barricades as some of the roads will be closed for parade traffic.
Sergeant Justin Collins of the Rochester Police Department has some helpful reminders.
Collins said, “We want people to be safe and party responsibly. There’s going to be a lot of families out here. Respect people, treat people with respect, drink responsibly. People are going to be driving, obviously designated drivers are really important. Just celebrate responsibly, enjoy the crowd and enjoy the day.”
For parade first timers, Collins said, “Just plan ahead, know the route that you want to take, try to do a little advanced planning of where you’re going to park. Come with groups, make sure you have a group of people that you’re with so that things can go smoothly and you can enjoy the day.”
There will be about 60 police officers on duty for the parade and 30 afterwards for partygoers.
Organizers say there will be family activities on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's parade theme is "The Shamrock".