Saturday 5/18 approximately 7 am

The traffic bureau will be shutting down Elm Street between (Franklin and School Streets) in preparation for the road race and after race festivities.  Elm Street will remain closed from approximately 7 am on Saturday until the end of the parade Sunday approximately 5-6 pm.

All traffic will be required to use Mechanic & Meadow Streets or Franklin & Washington Streets for north/south travel to avoid the closure of Elm Street. 

The Run 5k race starts promptly at 1 pm at Westfield State University South Lot and runs the length of Western Avenue to Court Street.  The race shifts into the westbound lane on Court Street at Washington Street before making the turn at the library northbound and ends in the area of School Street.  The plan as in past years will be to close down the entire race route and side streets at 12:45 pm.  As race participants push eastward along Western Ave portions of Western Avenue will re-opened until the event is completely contained within the previously mentioned closure of Elm Street. 

School Street will remain open during the festivities but may be intermittently or temporarily shut down at times during the race.

Any questions regarding the race itself should be directed to Westfield Run 5k Website at http://runwestfield.com

Saturday 5/18 starting at 5:30 pm until conclusion of fireworks

Festivities leading up to the fireworks event start at Amelia Park at 5:30 pm with a kids carnival followed by a Beach Boy's tribute band from 7 pm-9 pm and concluding with a fireworks display.

A portion of West Silver Street will be closed from Broad Street to Pleasant Street from roughly the start of the fireworks until the conclusion of the bulk of pedestrian traffic exiting the event grounds (closure approximately 9:15 pm to 10:15-10:30 pm).

Anyone with questions regarding the event itself are encouraged to visit the Westfield 350th website at: http://westfield350.org

Sunday 5/19 Parade Western Ave 1 pm-5 pm

Although the parade does not officially start until 1 pm heavy traffic volume is expected in the area of Stanley Park starting as early as 11 am as organizers and parade participants begin to arrive in the area.

The parade route runs from Kensington Avenue east down Western Ave to Court Street.  As the parade approaches Washington Street it will shift over completely to the westbound lane and continuing on Court Street eventually turning on to Elm Street near the library.  The parade will cross School Street and disperse from the previously closed off section of Elm Street.  School Street will remain closed for the entire duration of the parade.  Estimates have the parade concluding at approximately 4:15 pm at the Green with a 20-25 minute performance by the Mummers.  Estimates are that Elm Street will be reopened sometime between 5-6 pm.

The entire parade route will be shut down starting at 12:30 pm and the route and all side streets leading to the parade route will remain closed throughout the duration of the event.  When feasible and safe portions of the route may be reopened in the same manner as the road race (starting at the west and slowly opening toward the east). 

Parking

Spectators are encouraged to walk to these events whenever possible.  Parking is available in any city based municipal parking area.  These designated areas can be found at the link below: 

Parking Maps

In addition, motorists are free to park on a first come first served basis on any public street in any area that is not excluded by posted sign, ordinance, or law.

Examples:

• Any area posted or designated as "no parking" by any sign permanent or temporary signs
• No parking within 10' of a fire hydrant
• No parking within 20' of an intersection
• No parking on the tree belt
• Upon or in front of a private road or driveway

Detour Routes (During the parade ONLY):

From the north (Mass Pike area):

Any destinations south (of Court Street/Western Ave area of the parade route) or anyone going east (Route 20) will be directed to take Meadow Street to Mechanic or Main Street depending on their destination. Those continuing south on 10/202S will be directed to use Broad Street to West Silver Street to South Maple Street to continue further south.

Any motorists travelling westbound will be unaffected and can take Franklin Street (Route 20W).  

From the south (Southwick area):

Motorists travelling north along 10/202N (Southwick Road) can take a right turn on West Silver Street and turn left on Broad Street and turn on to Main Street where signs will direct them to use Mechanic Street to any destinations north or west.

Motorists travelling north to continue west on Route 20 will also have to use Meadow Street to Union Ave and turn/U-turn at Pochassic Road or the 911 Memorial to head back southbound to Elm Street to access Route 20W.

From the east (West Springfield area):

Motorists wishing to head north should follow signs to use Meadow Street to Union Ave to North Elm Street.

Motorists wishing to head south should use Broad Street to West Silver Street to South Maple Street to continue south.

Motorists wishing to head west will use Meadow Street to Union Avenue and turn/U-turn at Pochassic Road or the 911 Memorial to head back southbound to Elm Street to access Route 20W.

Notes:

During the road closures involving both the road race and parade traffic is expected to be heavy and delays should be expected.  Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes around each event whenever possible.