15,000 expected for annual University of Iowa homecoming parade

IOWA CITY - About 15,000 Hawkeye fans are expected line the streets of downtown Iowa City Friday for the annual University of Iowa homecoming parade.

The parade steps off at 5:45 p.m., but street closures, parking bans, traffic delays and changes to the transit routes get underway earlier in the day.

The parade takes a slightly different route this year because of road construction. The parade begins at the intersection of Gilbert Street and Iowa Avenue, heading west on Iowa Avenue. At Dubuque Street, it turns south, then turns west at Washington Street. At Clinton Street the parade heads north, then turns east onto Jefferson Street.

The parade ends at the intersection of Jefferson and Gilbert streets.

'No parking” areas are to be established on Iowa City streets along the parade route. Some are to be set up as early as noon. Others are likely to be implemented in shifts at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Vehicles parked in no parking areas are to be towed.

Street closures are expected to remain in place until 9 p.m. so barricades can be removed and to accommodate other homecoming events, including the coronation of homecoming royalty and a concert on the Pentacrest. A few arterial streets, including Gilbert and Jefferson, are exceptions to the schedule, as they are to reopen immediately after the parade has concluded.