What To Know About Columbus Day Parade & Branford 375th Birthday

BRANFORD, CT — Happy Birthday, Branford! We should all live to be 375! (Or maybe not.) And one way the town is celebrating is with Sunday's 2019 Columbus Day Parade.

Branford Police have shared lots of great information from the Greater New Haven Columbus Day Committee, as well as tips on how best to enjoy the day, safely.

The parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m.

Main Street will be closed from the area of North Main Street/Main Street all the way to the East Main/North Main Intersection. Road closures will begin at around 12 noon.

The parade will begin in the area of P & M on Main Street and will end at the Branford High School.

Police say folks should be mindful of 'No Parking' signs. Handicapped parking is available on Blackstone Avenue. Town Hall Drive will have permit parking only starting at 11:30 a.m.

Police say that if "you are parked in a NO PARKING area, please be advised your vehicle may be subject to tow at the owner’s expense."

Said to be the largest parade of its kind in New England, Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove described it as "...one of the most anticipated events of the year as we celebrate our 375th anniversary."

Six towns, including Branford, East Haven, West Haven, Hamden, New Haven and North Haven, rotate hosting the parade. This year's event marks the return of the parade to Branford, which first hosted it in 2013.