This is a research question for an article I will be writing-
If you were heading to a big parade in a city, what are some questions you'd want to know ahead of time?
This is a parade for adults. People get drunk and rowdy.
Thank you in advance.
Where I should expect to find free parking and how far will I be expected to walk. If I get drunk are there places where we can hang out doing stuff until we feel safer to walk and eventually drive?
Is it a pretty safe environment or a feeding frenzy of thieves and other criminal activities.
Where to park, or more likely, what are the public transportation options? Which public transportation stops are handi-cap accessible (and therefore stroller-accessible) - there are quite a few in Boston along popular parade routes with no elevator access. How far from the train/bus/subway to the parade route? Where are the closest restrooms? Are there likely to be food vendors or restaurants nearby or will they all be packed and/or closed? What time does the parade pass various viewing points? Around here, there can be an hour's difference between the start and end of the parade route. Do people tend to stick around (is it part of a larger event) or disburse immediately? And of course, what will the weather be?
We take our 4 kids (and usually an additional friend or two) into Boston for New Year's Eve, July 4th, and when a team wins a championship such as the World Series or Stanley Cup. We're comfortable doing this because we know the ins and outs of what T station or parking lot to use, where the out-of-the way restrooms are, whether or not it's better to stick around and eat or get out of the city first etc. but to someone who hasn't lived or worked here, I can see it being a totally overwhelming and not enjoyable experience.
Where to park, where their will be washrooms available, if there will be candy handed out (so the kids can bring bags), how long the parade will be, if there are street parties before or after the parade, if there will be food/souvenir concessions...
Best place for viewing...when to get there to stake out a spot. Is there an indoor place to watch the parade from that gives you a good view.
what roads will be closed and when
where can I park
are bathrooms available
what public transporation is available
A friend of mine went to a St. Patricks Day last March and it turned out that the streets were filled with loud drunken people. They said they wished they had known that this parade was for adults - not really kid friendly environment. So, I would want to know - Is the parade for kids or adults?
Not just the expected start time, but also the anticipated end time (babysitters to consider if it's adults only).
What is the exact parade route and where will there be ample parking?
Will there be porta-potties or other restrooms available? Will there be food vendors there? Exactly what is there for those attending?
Will there be any designated alcohol-free/drunk-free zones for those who want to attend but don't want to be around these people?
For those who overdo it, will any cab services be there to provide transportation home?
Where are the bathrooms? Also, where is there food to grab a quick bite in between drinks. What bars/restaurants should I hit when the parade is over? How do I get home??
Can you tell I've been to a few NYC St. Patrick's Day parades (oh, way back when...).
Can I set up my chairs the day before? (crazy, I know. But here, we have a 4th of July party and all of downtown Bothell has the chairs out the DAY before the actual parade)
Bathrooms?
What is a parade for adults vs a parade for kids?
