NYC Columbus Day Parade 2017 Guide: Parade Route, Traffic Closures, Controversy

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The Columbus Day Parade in Midtown Manhattan is one of the country's biggest celebrations of Italian-American pride, but the event has also become a source of controversy. This year's parade will take place amid calls from various city officials and activist groups to remove a 70-foot monument to Christopher Columbus in Columbus Circle. States of the Italian explorer have also recently been vandalized in Columbus Circle and Central Park.

Despite the controversy, this year's parade is expected to draw more than one million spectators and more than 130 marching groups — including bands, floats and cultural groups — according to parade organizers. Politicians such as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, mayoral challenger Nicole Malliotakis, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Comptroller Scott Stringer are expected to march in Monday's parade.

Whether you are interested in attending the parade, protesting it or want to avoid it on Sunday here's your guide to everything you need to know about the Columbus Day Parade this year:

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What time does the parade start and end?

This year's celebration will kick of with a special ceremony at 11:30 a.m., according to parade organizers, but the actual parade won't start until noon. The parade is scheduled to last until 3 p.m.

What is the route for this year's parade and will there be street closures?

The parade will be held in Midtown on Fifth Avenue and continue into the Upper East Side. Marchers will begin on Fifth Avenue at 47th Street and will continue down the avenue until 72nd Street.

The main parade route and several side streets will be closed to traffic for the duration of the parade. Here are the closures as announced by the Department of Transportation.

Formation:

• 43rd Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 44th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 45th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 46th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 47th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 5th Avenue between 43rd Street and 47th Street

Route

• 5th Avenue between East 47th Street and East 72nd Street

Dispersal

• 5th Avenue between 72nd Street and 79th Street
• 72nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 73rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 75th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 76th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 77th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 78th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue

Miscellaneous

• 62nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 68th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 69th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 70th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
• Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd Street and 47th Street

What's the easiest way to get to the parade?

The easiest way to get to the parade route will be by taking public transportation, especially because most streets in the area will be closed to traffic.

The quickest way to get to the start of the parade route would be to take the B, D, F or M train to 42nd Street Bryant Park, the N, Q, R or W trains to 49th Street or the 4, 5, 6 or 7 trains to Grand Central and walk to Fifth Avenue and 47th Street from one of those stations.

Who will be honored this year?

Every year during the Columbus Day Parade several members of the Italian-American community are honored for their contributions to culture and society. This year's grand marshal will be Barnes & Noble Chairman and Founder Leonard Riggio. Past grand marshals include Regis Philbin, former New York Mets Manager Bobby Valentine, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and politicians such as Rudy Giuliani, Mario Cuomo and Al D'Amato.

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images News/Getty Images