HOBOKEN — In anticipation of the tens of thousands of visitors expected to converge on Hoboken for the 25th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 5, the city issued a press release on Friday informing residents and visitors about what to expect.
The parade kick-off is at 1 p.m. from the corner of 14th and Washington Streets and proceeds south on Washington Street until the viewing stand at City Hall.
BIG FINES: As in past years, the city will issue maximum fines of up to $2,000 plus community service for certain violations. These are the four violations for which law enforcement will enforce a zero tolerance policy: consumption of alcohol/open container in public, urinating in public, maintaining a nuisance (disorderly and unsafe house parties), disorderly conduct & improper behavior.
The City of Hoboken issued more than 500 summonses during the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day, with more than 200 of those required to perform community service.
PARKING: The city notes that parking is very limited in Hoboken, so they urge visitors to take public transportation. Visitors driving into Hoboken should note that on-street parking is limited to 2 hours at any meter and 4 hours at permit parking zones. Moving a vehicle to another location does not reset the 4 hour restriction. The easiest option is to park in a garage. Municipal garages are located at:
Garage B – 2nd and Hudson Street
Garage D – 215 Hudson Street
Garage G – 315 Hudson Street
Midtown – 371 4th Street
Police will be conducting a DWI checkpoint during the weekend. The taxi stand will be temporarily relocated to Vezzetti Way at 8 am.
The entire length of Washington Street and the traversing streets will close to all traffic beginning at 12:30 pm and will remain closed until all bands and groups pass the reviewing stand. The northern end of Washington Street (from 12th Street to 15th Street) will close around 11 am providing an opportunity for bands and groups to assemble for the parade.
Between 7am and midnight on March 5, there will be no parking permitted on:
Hudson Street from Observer Highway to Fifth Street (west side)
Hudson Place (all)
Park Avenue between Observer Highway and Newark Street (west side)
Newark Street between Park Avenue and Willow Avenue (both sides)
First Street from Willow Avenue to River Street (north side)
First Street from Bloomfield Street to Washington Street (closed to traffic all day)
Willow Avenue (west side) (12pm-4pm only)
Buses will be rerouted during the parade.
For more stories on this event, see www.hudsonreporter.com.