The annual Caribbean Festival will be celebrated in the City of Boston this weekend. We want those who live in the neighborhoods impacted by these events, as well as those attending, to know what to expect and what is expected of them. There have been changes from prior years.
The City of Boston Transportation Department has issued a permit for the J’Ouvert and Caribbean Parades. This year’s J’Ouvert Parade will take place exclusively on Circuit Drive in Franklin Park from 6:00–10:00 a.m. The parade will assemble on Circuit Drive near Shattuck Hospital and proceed along Circuit Drive toward Blue Hill Avenue. At its conclusion, all music will be shut off at the Zoo parking lot, and parade vehicles will disperse by taking a right onto Blue Hill Avenue. Circuit Drive will be closed to motor vehicle traffic, and no parking will be available from late Friday night, after Zoo Lights closes, until Sunday morning.
Traffic will be impacted by the weekend events. Please seek alternate routes when possible. In an effort to minimize disruption and promote community safety, traffic and parking restrictions will be imposed on feeder streets leading to the Caribbean Parade route. Warren Street will be closed from Dale Street to Blue Hill Avenue, and Blue Hill Avenue will be closed from Quincy Street to American Legion Highway. Traffic will be rerouted away from the parade route, which will be lined with barriers.
The Caribbean Parade will begin forming at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Warren Street at 11:00 a.m. The parade will step off at 1:00 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m.
Parking restrictions will be in effect from Thursday, August 27, at 2:00 p.m. to Sunday, August 30, at 7:00 a.m. on the following street:
· Talbot Avenue – Both sides, from Blue Hill Avenue heading easterly to Bernard Street
Roadways along the route will be closed for the Carnival parade. Parking restrictions will be in effect throughout Saturday on the following streets:
· Blue Hill Avenue – Both sides, from American Legion Highway to Westview Street
· Westview Street – Both sides, from Blue Hill Avenue heading easterly to beyond #30 Westview Street
· Livingstone Street – Both sides, from Blue Hill Avenue to Ashton Street
· Ansel Road – Both sides, from Blue Hill Avenue to Ashton Street
· Martin Luther King Boulevard – Both sides, from Warren Street to Washington Street
· Warren Street – Both sides, from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Blue Hill Avenue
· Dale Street – Both sides, from Washington Street to Warren Street
· Columbia Road – Both sides, from Blue Hill Avenue to Seaver Street
· Old Road – Both sides, from Glenway Street to Columbia Road
· Ellington Street – Both sides, from Old Road to Blue Hill Avenue
· Glenway Street – Both sides, from Blue Hill Avenue past Old Road to #11 Glenway Street
· Glenway Street, School Yard – Along the fence abutting Glenway Street facing vehicles in the lot
· Seaver Street – Both sides, from Blue Hill Avenue to a point three (300’) hundred feet westerly, approximately at #280 Seaver Street
· Walnut Avenue – Southeast (Franklin Park) side, from Seaver Street to Sigourney Street; Both sides, from Seaver Street to Park Lane
· Sigourney Street – Southeast (Franklin Park) side, from Walnut Avenue to Glen Road
· Circuit Drive – Both sides, from Blue Hill Avenue to Morton Street
We will be cleaning and clearing the streets at the conclusion of both parades on Saturday. After 6:00 p.m., there will be no additional events, and there will be no loitering in the area. We will return the streets to normal to serve the neighborhoods.
Late night and overnight activities will be limited and addressed by officers from our districts and specialized units. Weapons and violence are never tolerated in our City, neither will large or loud parties/gatherings. Revelers in speaker cars or off-road vehicles are not welcome and we will take notice. Please don’t beep horns, drive recklessly or play loud music in our neighborhoods.
If residents or visitors see something, please say something. Call 911. Do not hesitate—we are here to support you.