The Christmas City of the North Parade has been a staple in this area for years, so has the confusion of when to move cars and traffic flow.

It showcases high-school marching bands, dance studios, colorful floats, local businesses, the Fire Department, Police Department and an appearance by Santa Claus. for the past few years, it takes up 13 blocks of Superior Street, from Ninth Avenue East to Fourth Avenue West. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Santa will be last in the parade not the emergency vehicles.

If you don't want to brave the cold you can watch it on KBJR-TV channel 6.1 and online at kbjr6.com, they stream it. I believe they also put it up online so you can watch it after you have been in the parade.

According to past press releases and PerfectDuluthDay, all Parade units will begin lining up at 4 p.m. along London Road between 10th and 14th avenues east, and buses will be staging on the upper side of London Road from 14th to 17th avenues east. My son usually gets off a bus and later joins up with the float that has been built for them.

Everyone will dismantle whatever they are driving or doing in the 400 block of West Superior Street and exit the area on Fifth Avenue West.

According to past press releases by Duluth Police,  4 p.m. expect London Road to close from 10th to 14th avenues east. Superior Street from 12th Avenue East to Fifth Avenue West will close to vehicle traffic at 5:45 p.m. Michigan Street will close at 6:15 p.m. to traffic, except for buses and local residents. Access to Michigan Street parking ramps will be allowed but could be limited, after 6:15 p.m. Vehicles exiting Michigan Street lots and ramps during the closures will be directed to exit the area by driving south to the 5th Avenue West Off-Ramp.

Motorists should be aware of no-parking areas all along the route starting at 10 am by Pickwick and then closing down throughout the day. Basically, if you leave your car it will be tagged and towed. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!

The Greater Downtown Council said in an email that parking is free in the following ramps and lots after 5 pm.

· Fourth Avenue Auto Park - 402 W. Michigan Stree
· Duluth Transportation Center - 228 W. Michigan Street
· Civic Center Ramp - 410 W. First Street
· Tech Village Ramp - 10 E. First Street
· HART Ramp - 122 E. First Street
· Medical District Ramp - 302 E. First Street
· Fitger’s - 600 E. Superior Street
· Phoenix Parking Lot - 98 N. 4th Ave West
· St. Luke's Hospital Ramp - 1010 E. First Street
· St. Luke’s Employee Parking Lot - 119 N. 12th Ave East

Parking meters will be free of charge after 5:30 p.m.

Drivers are urged to use caution in the area of this event. Downtown traffic should return to normal by approximately 8:30 p.m.

For more information call Greater Downtown Council President Kristi Stokes at 218-727-8549.

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