NEW YORK CITY — Whether New Yorkers are "Erin go Bragh" or nah, they shouldn't depend on luck to prepare for the city's famed St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The annual parade starts at 11 a.m. Friday along its traditional Fifth Avenue route, which means joyous crowds, perhaps less-than-joyous packed trains, street closures and, most likely, at least a few sozzled would-be Irish.
The event is likely to live up to its reputation as the largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the world with about 150,000 people expected to march and about 2 million spectators to watch, hoot and holler, organizers said.
“Best views to those who show up early," the organizers' website tells spectators.
The 2023 parade's route runs along Fifth Avenue from East 44th Street in Midtown to East 79th Street on the Upper East Side.
Spectator should maybe think twice about that second cup of coffee, there will be no portable restrooms along the Parade route.
For cheeky Gaelic sprites who plan to drink in transit: don't. Booze is banned from the subway, and on the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and Staten Island Railway from Friday at 5 a.m. til Saturday at 12 p.m.
The subway's 4/5/6 trains along the Lexington Avenue Line will have station stops along the full parade route, officials said. Extra LIRR trains will also be running, they said.
Here are the streets along the route that will be closed, according to the city's Department of Transportation.
Parade Formation:
Route:
Dispersal:
Miscellaneous
This year's Grand Marshal is Kevin J. Conway, the vice chairman of global private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.
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