OCALA,FL (352today.com) – It is a greatly anticipated event but here is some information that will help you navigate your way to Ocala’s nighttime Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec 9.

According to the city government website here are the road closures you can expect and note that many start in the morning well before the parade.

Road Closures: Ocala Christmas Parade – Saturday, Dec. 9

The following is a list of road closures in effect for the Ocala Christmas Parade, which will take place Saturday starting at 5:30 p.m.
If you’re not familiar with Ocala’s Christmas parade, be forewarned. It’s a big deal. You’ll want to steer clear of the area Saturday unless you want to get tied up in traffic. Courtesy: Whitney Zarder/352today

Road closures effective Saturday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. –

  • SE 25th Avenue from E Fort King Street to SE 14th Street

Detour routes –

  • NE 25th Avenue (southbound) – E Fort King Street to SE 22nd Avenue to SE 14th Street, back to SE 25th Avenue
  • SE 25th Avenue (northbound) – SE 14th Street to SE 30th Avenue to E Fort King Street to NE 36th Avenue to State Road 40 to State Road 492, back to NE 25th Avenue

Road closures effective Saturday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. to midnight –

  • State Road 40 from NE Third Street to N Pine Avenue/US 441
  • SE/NE 25th Avenue from SE 14th Street to State Road 492
  • E Fort King Street from SE 30th Avenue to SE 22nd Avenue
  • NE Eighth Avenue from State Road 40 to NE 14th Street/State Road 492

Detour routes –

  • State Road 40 (eastbound) – US 441 to NW/NE 14th Street/State Road 492, back to State Road 40
  • State Road 40 (westbound) – NE Third Street to NE 25th Avenue to State Road 492 to US 441, back to State Road 40
  • SE/NE 25th Avenue (northbound) – SE 14th Street to SE 30th Avenue to E Fort King Street to NE 36th Avenue to State Road 40, back to NE 25th Avenue
  • NE/SE 25th Avenue (southbound) – State Road 492 to NE 36th Avenue to E Fort King Street to SE 30th Avenue to SE 14th Street, back to SE 25th Avenue
  • E Fort King Street (westbound) – SE 30th Avenue to SE 14th Street to SE 22nd Avenue, back to E Fort King Street
  • E Fort King Street (eastbound) – SE 22nd Avenue to SE 14th Street to SE 30th Avenue, back to E Fort King Street
  • NE Eighth Avenue (southbound) – State Road 492 to US 441 to State Road 40 (westbound) or State Road 492 to State Road 40 (eastbound)

There may be other minor road closures as determined by the Ocala Police Department.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE PARADE: The weather looks great for Ocala’s Christmas parade Saturday evening, rain should hold off until Sunday

It’s a stake out, literally along the parade route. Eager parade watchers stake their claim to real estate along the route days in advance of the parade. While that’s allowed, the city expressly forbid chairs being set up before Wednesday saying they would be removed. City officials said the chairs pose a hazard to drivers and pedestrians.

Right on cue, chairs started showing up in earnest along Silver Springs Boulevard on Thursday, Dec. 7.

The city prohibited parade-goers from setting up chairs before Wednesday saying they would be removed. Courtesy: Whitney Zarder/352today
Securing prime real estate along the parade route is serious business in Ocala. Courtesy: Whitney Zarder/352today
Ocala’s Christmas parade is an eagerly anticipated holiday tradition. This will be the 65th year for the event that brings families together. Courtesy: Whitney Zarder/352today