Haitian-American Unity Parade, Harpoon Brewery Road Race, Boston University Commencement, Other Events

The Haitian-American Unity Parade, Harpoon Brewery Road Race, Boston University Commencement and other special events taking place between Thursday, May 16, and Sunday, May 19, will impact traffic and parking in Boston.  People coming into the City to attend are encouraged not to drive their personal vehicles. Information on Bluebikes, the regional bike share service, may be found at http://bluebikes.com and information on the MBTA may be found at www.mbta.com. For a faster return trip, the MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket. Walking is also a great way to move around Boston.

Saturday, May 18

The Youth Pride Rally will begin will begin at City Hall Plaza at 11 AM with the Youth Pride March beginning at Noon.  An estimated 1,000 participants will march from City Hall Plaza, to Cambridge Street, proceed onto Tremont Street, right onto Boylston Street, right onto Charles Street, right onto Beacon Street, left onto Bowdoin Street, right onto Cambridge Street, back to City Hall Plaza.  Traffic will be detoured around the parade route until the conclusion of the parade at approximately 1 PM.

Sunday, May 19

The Haitian-American Unity Parade will begin at 1 PM in Mattapan Square.  The route to be taken is Blue Hill Avenue from Babson Street, right onto Westview Street, entering Harambee Park, with floats continuing on Blue Hill Avenue to Talbot Avenue.  Up to 7,000 people are anticipated to participate in the event.

Blue Hill Avenue will be closed to traffic between River Street and Talbot Avenue from Noon to 4 PM.

“Tow Zone No Stopping Boston Police Special Event Sunday” parking restrictions will be in effect as follows.

• Blue Hill Avenue, east side, River Street (Mattapan Square) to Talbot Avenue
• Blue Hill Avenue on Center Island, east side of island, Babson Street to Freemont Street
• Babson Street, both sides, Blue Hill Avenue, heading northerly to Freemont Street
• Talbot Avenue, both sides, Blue Hill Avenue to Wales Street
• Westview Street, both sides, Blue Hill Avenue to Westview Way

The Harpoon Brewery 5 Miler Road Race will begin at 10 AM in the Seaport District and is expected to conclude at 11:15 AM.  The route to be taken is FID Kennedy, Tide Street, left onto Drydock Avenue, right onto Black Falcon Avenue, right onto Design Center Way, left onto Dry Dock Avenue, left onto Summer Street, left onto East First Street, right onto Farragut Road, left onto East Broadway Extension, left onto Day Boulevard, left onto Shore Road, right onto East First Street, right onto Summer Street, right onto Dry Dock Avenue, right onto Black Falcon Avenue, left onto Dry Dock Avenue, right onto Tide Street.  An estimated 4,500 runners are expected to participate in the event.  Traffic will be delayed as runners make their way toward the finish line.

The Saint James Marion Procession will begin at 11:30 AM at 125 Harrison Avenue in Chinatown and is expected to conclude at 12:45 PM.  The route to be taken is Harrison Avenue, left onto Kneeland Street, left onto Surface Road, left onto Beach Street, left onto Harrison Avenue and ending at the church. An estimated 250 people are expected to participate in the procession.

Work taking place in the Financial District will require Water Street, between Congress Street and Broad Street, and Kilby Street, between Milk Street and State Street, to be closed to traffic 24 hours.

“Tow Zone No Stopping Boston Police Special Event Sunday” parking restrictions will be in effect as follows.

• Water Street, Congress Street to Broad Street
• Kilby Street, Milk Street to State Street

Thursday, May 16, through Sunday, May 19

Due to Boston University Commencement activities, the following parking restrictions will be in effect.

“Tow zone No Stopping Boston Police Special Event Thursday-Sunday”

• Babcock Street, both sides, Commonwealth Avenue to Ashford Street
• Commonwealth Avenue, inbound, from #500-#530
• Ashford Street, both sides, Babcock Street to Malvern Street

“Tow Zone No Stopping Boston Police Special Event Friday–Sunday”

• Alcorn Street, both sides, Gardner Street to Ashford Street
• Ashford Street, both sides, Babcock Street to Malvern Street
• Commonwealth Avenue, outbound, from #595 to Silber Way
• Commonwealth Avenue, outbound, Buick Street to Harry Agganis Way
• Gardner Street, both sides, Babcock Street to Alcorn Street
• Harry Agganis Way, both sides, Commonwealth Avenue to private way

“Tow Zone No Stopping Boston Police Special Event Thursday & Friday”

• Silber Way, both sides, Bay State Road to Commonwealth Avenue

“Tow Zone No Stopping Boston Police Special Event Saturday”

• Commonwealth Avenue, inbound, from #808-#846
• Granby Street, west side, Bay State Road to Commonwealth Avenue

“Tow Zone No Stopping Boston Police Special Event Sunday”

• Commonwealth Avenue, inbound, south side, from #930-#890
• Commonwealth Avenue, outbound, north side, from Agganis Way to #985