Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the 44th annual Dominican Day Parade in Manhattan this weekend \u2014 and city officials say they\u2019re prepared to keep revelers safe.<\/p>\n
The event steps off at Sixth Avenue and West 36th Street at 11 a.m. on Sunday, with participants set to march north to West 55th Street.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we all know, the Dominican Day Parade is one of the largest parades in our city, and it is one of the most joyful days of the year,\u201d Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a news briefing. \u201cThere is nothing quite like the sound of bachata, the aroma of sancocho as it fills our city streets, the joy of New Yorkers coming together to celebrate a heritage that is so integral to our city\u2019s history.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
From street closures to security, here\u2019s what to know before you arrive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Which streets will be closed?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Starting at 10 a.m., Sixth Avenue between 34th and 42nd streets will close to all vehicular traffic, including crosstown traffic, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at the briefing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At 10:30 a.m., the closure will extend along the avenue from 42nd Street to 55th Street, remaining in effect until the parade wraps up, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The NYPD said to expect additional street closures in the area at the agency\u2019s discretion, including at:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sixth Avenue between 37th and 38th streets
\n36th Street between Broadway and Fifth Avenue
\n38th and 37th streets between Fifth and Seventh avenues
\nSixth Avenue between 36th and 55th streets
\n55th Street between Fifth and Seventh avenues<\/p>\n
Once the parade kicks off, pedestrians will only be able to cross Sixth Avenue at 39th Street, 42nd Street, 48th Street and 51st Street, Tisch noted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStreet closures will make it difficult to drive or park anywhere near the parade route,\u201d she said. \u201cSo if you\u2019re planning to attend, we strongly urge you to take public transportation.\u201d<\/p>\n
What will security be like?\u00a0<\/p>\n
NYPD officers will be stationed along the entirety of the parade route \u2014 and will also be patrolling the surrounding area, Mamdani said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile there are no known specific or credible threats against the parade at this time, we will continue to coordinate closely across government, as well as with our state and federal partners, to ensure New Yorkers can celebrate and can be safe while doing so,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tisch said traffic agents will be set up at intersections and crossings, with personnel from the NYPD\u2019s Service Unit, Mounted Unit, K9 Unit and Counterterrorism Bureau out assisting officers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
New Yorkers can also expect to see helicopters and drones monitoring the route, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alcohol won\u2019t be permitted along the stretch, Tisch noted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe take seriously our responsibility to protect every New Yorker who will attend this celebration, as we do with any other major event or public gathering,\u201d the mayor said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What sort of weather is on tap?\u00a0<\/p>\n