Some Cleveland leaders are now estimating up to 1 million fans could converge on downtown Cleveland for the Cavaliers championship parade and rally celebration on Wednesday.
The parade is set to start at 11 a.m. near Quicken Loans Arena at West Huron Road and cover 1 and 1/2 miles to Lakeside and East 6th Street, near Cleveland City Hall.
The event will cause 25 road closures and 20 different parking bans near and along the parade route.
Cleveland RTA spokesperson Laura Krecic is urging fans to use more than a dozen rapid transit stations on both the east and west sides of the city, park their cars, and take the short rapid ride into the Tower City/Public Square station.
An all day rapid pass is just $5. RTA encourages transit users to bring cash and exact change to multiple rapid stations.
"Brookpark, Puritas, West Park, Triskett those are the main bigger ones," Krecic said. "Pretty much, the red line on the west side, west of Tower City there is a lot of parking."
"It's a 5 minute walk around public square, or you could wait at The Q and watch the parade start from that end."
To get minute-by-minute updates on rapid station parking and information check the RTA website.
Cleveland Councilman and city safety committee member Matt Zone told newsnet5.com that fans must be prepared to deal with a physically demanding celebration.
"Tomorrow I know I'm going to bring a water bottle, I'm going to be wearing tennis shoes," said Zone. "Wear comfortable clothes. If you're going town there be prepared to stand 4 to 5 hours."
"I discourage people from driving their cars, and if you feel like you must drive a car, get down there early; get down there as early as 7 a.m., parking your car, go get a cup of coffee, go get some breakfast."
The City of Cleveland announced the following details for the parade:
The parade will start at 11 a.m. on Wednesday outside Quicken Loans Arena at East 6th Street.
It will go north to Huron Road, then west to Ontario Street, then south to Carnegie Avenue to East 9th Street, then north on East 9th Street.
There is a tentative plan to turn west onto Lakeside to get to the mall.
The parade will feature more than 60 units including floats, specialty vehicles, the Ohio State University marching band, an appearance by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and much more.
There will be entertainment, special presentations and celebrations from the Mountain Dew Stage.
More information on the parade and a parade map here.
A complete list of road closures and parking bans posted here.
