Iowa City Today

City of Iowa City recently issued the following announcement.

After missing out on the beloved annual tradition in 2020, thousands of Hawkeye fans will descend upon Downtown Iowa City on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, for the annual University of Iowa Homecoming Parade.

The parade will begin at 5:45 p.m., so be aware of related street closures, parking restrictions, and changes to the City's transit routes earlier in the day. The City also reminds attendees that a mask mandate remains in effect.

Parade Route

The parade will begin at the intersection of Washington and Gilbert Streets, proceeding west on Washington Street, then turn north on Clinton Street, east on Jefferson Street, south on Dubuque Street, then east on Iowa Avenue, and finish where Iowa Avenue intersects with Gilbert Street.

Street Closures

At 4 p.m. on Friday:

• Van Buren Street, between Market and College 
• Johnson Street, between Market and Burlington 
• College Street, between Van Buren and Dodge 
• Washington Street, between Gilbert and Dodge 
• Iowa Avenue, between Gilbert and Dodge 
• Jefferson Street, between Gilbert and Dodge 

At 4:30 p.m. on Friday:

• Clinton Street, between Market and College 
• Dubuque Street, between Jefferson and Washington 
• Washington Street, between Clinton and Gilbert 
• Iowa Avenue, between Clinton and Gilbert 

At 5:30 p.m. on Friday:

• Gilbert Street, between Market and College 
• Jefferson Street, between Madison and Gilbert 

Most streets will reopen immediately following the parade around 7:30 p.m., but Clinton Street, between Washington and Jefferson Street, and Iowa Avenue, between Clinton and Dubuque Streets, will remain closed for the Homecoming Coronation and a concert on the Pentacrest. Event details can be found here.

Parking

Downtown parking will be impacted on parade day with parking restrictions displayed along the parade route. Please follow posted signage to avoid a tow.

No parking

No Parking signs will be placed along the parade route and inside the staging area, with some set up as early as noon. Others will be implemented at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Vehicles parked in no parking areas will be towed.

Watch closely for these signs to avoid tickets and towing, which will begin as early as 12:30 p.m.

Owners whose cars have been towed will need to obtain a vehicle release from the Iowa City Police Department, City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.

Parade impacted parking ramps

Tower Place Parking Ramp, 335 Iowa Ave., will close at 5 p.m., no longer allowing vehicles to enter or exit. Vehicles need to be out by 5 p.m. or risk having to remain in place until the parade ends.

People parked in the lower level of the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, 452 E. College St., will need to exit on the south side through the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center parking lot beginning at 4 p.m.

Spectator parking

All City of Iowa City parking ramps, except Tower Place, will be open and operate normally during the parade. Ramps near the parade route fill up quickly, so please consider parking in the Harrison Street ramp, 175 E. Harrison St.

Spectators can also pay for parking with their smartphones, by downloading the PassportParking app. Use it wherever PassportParking signs are displayed, including on and off-street spaces, and inside the Chauncey Swan and Harrison Street parking ramps.

Accessible parking and seating

An area near the intersection of Jefferson and Clinton streets, on the Pentacrest side of the street, has been set aside for accessible seating. Vehicles picking up and dropping off spectators who plan to use this area may be able to park adjacent to the closed section of Jefferson Street, located west of the intersection, and Clinton Street, located north of the intersection, as space allows. 

Transit

Iowa City Transit will make operational changes on Friday to accommodate the parade.

• Starting at 6 a.m., the bus interchange will move from Washington and Clinton streets to a temporary location on Court Street between Clinton and Dubuque (adjacent to the Court Street Transportation Center) streets for the duration of the service day. Normal bus service using the main transit interchange will resume on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.
• The last Southside Shuttle will depart the alternate interchange on Court Street at 3:30 p.m.
• The outbound bus stops located at Clinton Street & Jefferson Street (stop 7400), Jefferson Street & Linn Street (stop 7401), Jefferson Street & Van Buren Street (stop 7123), and Jefferson Street & Lucas Street (stop 8343) will be closed to bus service for the entirety of the service day. The inbound bus stops located at Mercy Hospital (stop 7443), Market Street & Linn Street (stop 7206), Clinton Street & Jefferson Street (stop 7207), Market Street & Clinton Street – Old Brick (stop 8218) will also be closed. Customers who use these stops should catch their buses at the alternate interchange on Court Street. These stops will reopen on Saturday, October 16, 2021.

Mask mandate remains in effect

The City reminds all parade attendees that the Mayor's Mask Order remains in effect. The order states that masks are required for individuals in public spaces when 6 feet of social distancing is not possible. 

Additional Information 

Iowa City Police urge parents or guardians of young children to keep a close eye on them throughout the parade and keep them within an arm’s length. Fencing will be in place along the route to help protect young attendees. Children should not enter the street under any circumstances during the parade.

For questions about parking and transit, call 319-356-5151. For all other City-related questions, contact Communications Coordinator Shannon McMahon at 319-356-5058 or shannon-mcmahon@iowa-city.org.

For details about the Homecoming parade and other festivities, visit homecoming.uiowa.edu. 

Original source can be found here.