Dates: Thurs., Oct. 27–Wed., Nov. 2
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED TUESDAY FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY
Spooky slowdowns will haunt Lower Manhattan when Monday’s Village Halloween Parade sends thousands of costumed characters and dozens of floats up Sixth Ave. with more than a million spectators on the sidelines!
But before that, on Thursday, Fashion Group International will host its annual Night of the Stars Benefit at 6 p.m. at the Cipriani on Wall and William Sts. Meryl Streep, Justin Timberlake, Christine Quinn, and others made appearances at last year’s star-studded event, so chances are, there will be some big celebs and a media presence in the area to match.
The Manhattan Walk to End Alzheimer’s may slow down traffic near the Brooklyn Bridge beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, though it will not cause closures. Walkers will begin along the South Street Seaport at Fulton St., continuing west to Gold St., then heading north toward the bridge, taking Park Row to Chambers St., down Broadway, and ending at Broadway and Park Row.
But Monday evening will be the real nightmare, especially for those behind the wheel.
The Village Halloween Parade will take off at 7 p.m. on Monday, but this Monster Mash will start causing jams as rush hour begins, which means driving will be a fright until roughly midnight. The procession will take over Sixth Ave. between Canal and 18th Sts., also closing a small segment of Sullivan and Dominick Sts. and Varick near Spring and Broome Sts. It will also close 16th to 18th Sts. between Fifth and Seventh Aves. Closures for the parade along Sixth Ave. will have a wide impact, so try taking West St. to avoid the gridlock.
Getting to the Holland Tunnel from the east will be nearly impossible. Steer clear of Canal St. west to the tunnel entrance as well as Broome St. I’d approach the tunnel from the west. West St. to Spring St. is a best bet. But drive carefully, many people walk in the streets, many are inebriated and all are just having fun not thinking about traffic.
And don’t forget, the parade won’t be the only thing causing delays! Among the evening’s many Halloween parties will be the Webster Hall parade afterparty beginning at 8 p.m., and the 9 p.m. Masquerade Ball at Capitale on Bowery at Grand St.
From the mailbag:
Dear Transit Sam:
I love your column and think you do a great job. You mentioned in a column that you would explain why the word “AMBULANCE” is backwards on the vehicle. This has always intrigued me so an explanation would be much appreciated.
Mike, via email
Dear Mike:
The mirror image of AMBULANCE is painted on the front of the vehicle so that when a driver looks in the rearview mirror, after hearing a siren, he/she will see the word’s reflection “frontwards.”
Now, why don’t other emergency services, police and fire, use the mirror image? Any ideas?
Transit Sam
