Mayor Eddie Morán today released more details about the 2021 Reading Holiday Parade, entitled Holidays Around the World, including this year’s Grand Marshals and traffic.
“The City of Reading is incredibly excited for the return of the Holiday Parade,” said Mayor Morán. “Our dedicated public servants have worked tirelessly to make this annual event as funfilled and exciting for everyone. In addition to the more than 75 entries and participants, it is with tremendous honor that I announce that this years’ Grand Marshals are all past and current presidents of Reading Area Community College, in celebration of their 50th Anniversary.”
If you are traveling throughout the City or participating in any events happening this Saturday, read carefully and plan accordingly.
Organizations and individuals participating in the 2021 Reading Holiday Parade (not spectators) must follow their divisions’ check-in instructions. City Park is designated as the parade line-up staging area; as a result, all thru traffic will be restricted to only parade participants beginning at 8:30 am. After that time, participants entering City Park can access it through Constitution Boulevard & Hill Road or Constitution Boulevard & Walnut Street.
Other designated staging areas include the 1100 block of Perkiomen Avenue and the 000 blocks of North & South 11th Street, which will be restricted to residential traffic only, also at 8:30 am. Detours, No Parking signs, and additional notices will be posted in these blocks and throughout
the routes, as needed. Towing will be enforced as a last resource to clear the route.
At 9:00 am, all traffic entering the City through the Penn Street Bridge will be diverted through a temporary special traffic lane going left on 2nd Street to Court Street. Please be advised that Penn Street will shut down in both directions from 9:00 am to approximately 2:00 pm; however, you will be able to drive north to south intermittently and vice versa on the following cross streets 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th, or 10th.
5th Street will shut down at 9:00 am on Cherry Street & Court Street as the main stage will be set up in the intersection with Penn Street.
Visitors and residents attending the Jazz Fest at the DoubleTree are encouraged to use the special lane to Court Street through the hotel Parking lot on 701 Court Street.
As previously stated, modifications will begin at 8:30 am, extending approximately through 2:00 pm. Finally, Officers from the Reading Police Department will be assigned to intersections and strategic zones. Event volunteers will also be assisting throughout the event and can be identified with volunteer staff shirts and/or staff badges.
