West Indian Day Parade 2018: What You Need To Know

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN -- More than a million people are expected to gather in Crown Heights Monday to enjoy the thrilling costumes and bright calypso music of the West Indian American Day Parade.

Some people come for the Caribbean cuisine, others the gaudy floats, the paint-and-powder throw-around, the dancing or just to get a good look at the great feathers.

Whether your thing is dancing, eating, stomping and cheering or simply steering clear, here's what you need to know about the biggest West Indian Day Parade in the nation.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

When Is The West Indian Day Parade?

The West Indian Day Parade will start at 11 a.m. and run until 6 p.m.

Where Does The West Indian Day Parade Take Place?

The West Indian Day Parade route will start on Eastern Parkway at Schenectady Avenue, head toward Grand Army Plaza then swerve south onto Flatbush Avenue.

How Do I Get There?

The subway is your best bet as far as public transportation goes, so hop on the 2, 3, 4, 5, Q and shuttle trains to reach various points along the parade route. You might want to give yourself some extra time becuase the MTA will be running on a holiday schedule for Labor Day. Find out more about the Labor Day subway schedule here.

Photo courtesy of Yana Paskova/Getty Images

What About J'Ouvert?

J'Ouvert is the pre-dawn festival that takes place before the parade begins. You can find more about the whens, wheres and whys in Patch's J'Ouvert guide, and read about the security measures that will be in place here.

What Streets Will Be Closed?

Here are the streets that will be closed, according to the NYPD.

• St. John’s Place between Kingston and Franklin avenues
• Franklin Avenue between St. John’s Place and President Street
• Washington Avenue between President Street and Eastern Parkway
• Classon Avenue between President Street and Eastern Parkway
• Buffalo Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Rutland Road
• Rochester Avenue between East New York Avenue and Sterling Place
• Ralph Avenue between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue
• East New York Avenue between Howard and Utica avenues
• Eastern Parkway between Howard Avenue and Grand Army Plaza
• Flatbush Avenue between Grand Army Plaza and Caton Avenue
• Ocean Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Parkside Avenue
• Butler Place between Grand Army Plaza and Sterling Place
• St. Johns Place between Underhill Avenue and Grand Army Plaza
• Rockaway Parkway between East New York Avenue and Rutland Road
• Parkside Avenue between Park Circle and Flatbush Avenue
• Bedford Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Empire Boulevard
• Empire Boulevard between Flatbush and Nostrand avenues
• Nostrand Avenue between Empire and Linden boulevards
• Lincoln Place between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue

Photo courtesy of Yana Paskova/Getty Images

Crown Heights residents should also be prepared for street closures along the J'Ouvert route Sunday night. The NYPD will be shutting down the area to prepare for security the following morning.

Header photo courtesy of Yana Paskova/Getty Images