Grand Floral Parade Traffic Changes - How to Get Around

The Grand Floral Parade is the highlight of the annual Rose Festival.

Hundreds of people line the streets as more than a dozen floats pass by.

As much fun as is had by all, it does have the unfortunate side effect of snarling traffic around the area for hours.

According to organizers, here's a summary of some of what you can expect on Saturday:

• The formation area around the Rose Quarter closes at 6:00 a.m. The parade route closes at 7:00 a.m. on the east side and 8:00 a.m. on the west side. Freeway exits around the Rose Quarter close at 7:00 a.m.;
• In addition to the parade route the following streets are closed: Steel Bridge NE 1st from Holladay to MLK Jr Blvd NE Interstate from Occidental to Broadway Burnside Bridge from MLK Jr Blvd to SW 2nd Ave;
• The disband area around Lincoln High School closes at 10:00 a.m. The following streets are closed: SW 14th to 18th SW Salmon to Burnside;
• The I-5 Southbound freeway off-ramp (Exit 302A) stays open the longest. If you are traveling Northbound on I-5, take I-405 North, go over the Fremont Bridge, and go South on I-5 to exit at the Rose Quarter;
• Broadway is open for Westbound traffic until 9:45 a.m.  We recommend you use the Freemont Bridge for Eastbound traffic.
• Access to the Rose Quarter Garages closes at 8:00 a.m.;
• The following streets observe alternate routes: SW 2nd Ave Northbound lanes and SW 3rd Ave Southbound lanes open to Tri-Met.

Speaking of TriMet, some trains will be held downtown to allow the parade to add and bus lines along the route will be diverted. Same with Portland Streetcar.

Closures start - in most cases - at 6 a.m. and last until the even ends at 2 p.m..

The parade gets underway at 10 a.m..