Know before you go and celebrate a Norfolk tradition safely.
NORFOLK, Va. – The 58th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set to march through Ocean View on Saturday, March 15, at 10 a.m. With a forecast calling for more rainbows than raindrops, thousands of participants and spectators are expected for the celebration. The parade starts at Northside Middle School (8730 Granby St.), travels north on Granby St., turns left on A View Ave., left on First View St. and ends at Government Ave. around noon.
Whether you’re attending for the first time or 58th, it’s good luck to be prepared!
Road Closures: Norfolk Police will close Granby St. from Bayview Blvd. to Bay Ave. starting at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 15. The rest of the parade route will be closed by 9:30 a.m. All streets will re-open at noon except for First View St. which will remain closed until 1:30 p.m. Government Ave from First View St. to Hickory St. will be closed until 4:30 p.m.
Parking: Be mindful of all “No Parking,” and “No Parking on Grass” signage. Areas marked off by police tape are no parking zones. As a tradition, cars may park on NON-CURBED medians along the route that are not marked off by police tape or no parking signage. Norfolk Police will tow illegally parked vehicles along the parade route. Off street parking is available at Sarah Constant Beach Park (300 W. Ocean View Ave.), Ocean View Beach Park (100 W. Ocean View Ave.), Ocean View Elementary School (350 W. Government Ave.) and Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library (111 W. Ocean View Ave.)
Safety: With thousands of spectators expected to attend, be mindful of increased pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic along and adjacent to the parade route. Give yourself plenty of time to park safely and be EXTRA cautious of children and pets. Don’t forget to lock your vehicles and leave valuables at home.
Don’t push your luck by drinking and driving! Call a taxi or ride share to get home safely.
For extra luck, pack a trash bag with your parade gear and make sure to bag your trash and dispose properly. Paradegoers can place bagged and tied trash next to the 40+ “Parade Right OV” signs along the route and Norfolk Waste Management crews will collect and dispose properly. Don’t forget to recycle bottles and cans!
Find all this information at www.norfolk.gov/ovparade and be sure to follow the City of Norfolk on Facebook and X @NorfolkVA and Instagram @CityofNorfolkVA.