NYC Pulaski Day Parade 2017: Parade Route, Traffic Closures, How To Get There

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Since 1937 New York City’s Polish-American community has marched down Fifth Avenue to honor Polish military hero Casimir Pulaski. The parade is held every October to commemorate Pulaski’s death at the Siege of Savannah, a battle in the American Revolutionary War.

This year’s parade will take place Sunday, Oct. 1, according to parade organizers. This year’s parade theme is “Thaddeus Kosciuszko – Hero of Two Nations,” according to organizers. Coincidentally, the Kosciuszko bridge is scheduled to be demolished that day.

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

What time does the parade start and end?

Pre-parade festivities begin at 9 a.m. with mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue and East 50th Street. Following mass, a breakfast will be held at the 3 West Club between Fifth and Sixth avenues around 10:30 a.m.

The parade itself will begin on Fifth Avenue and East 39th Street around 12:30 p.m.

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

The parade will be held in Midtown Manhattan along Fifth Avenue. Marchers will begin on Fifth Avenue at East 39th Street and will continue down the avenue until East 56th Street, according to parade organizers.

Floats will be assembled on Fifth Avenue between East 36th and 38th streets directly before the parade.

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 New York City Police Department

Formation

• 36th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 37th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 38th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 39th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue

Route

• 5th Avenue between 36th Street and 54th Street

Dispersal

• 54th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue

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, M, N, Q, R or W trains to 34th Street Herald Square or the 4, 5, 6 or 7 trains to Grand Central and walk to Fifth Avenue from one of those stations.

Photo by Kathleen Voege/Getty Images News/Getty Images