Bethel Police Issue Traffic Advisory for Today’s Memorial Day Parade

According to a release from the Bethel Police Department, drivers in Bethel are going to want to keep their patience levels somewhere between “deep breath” and “absolute saint” this afternoon because the annual Memorial Day Parade is expected to cause some traffic headaches around town.

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Police are warning residents that Greenwood Avenue will be shut down beginning at approximately 1:30 PM for the parade festivities. The parade itself is expected to wrap up shortly after 3 PM, with traffic hopefully returning to normal by around 3:30 PM. Of course, if you’ve ever been stuck behind someone trying to parallel park during a parade day in Connecticut, you know “approximately” can be a very flexible word.

The Bethel Police Department is encouraging motorists to avoid Greenwood Avenue altogether during the event and instead use alternate routes like South Street if possible. If you absolutely need to head through that area, maybe pack a snack, put on a podcast and emotionally prepare yourself for brake lights.

For anyone planning to attend the parade, officials are also recommending that you get there early and lock down parking before the crowds start rolling in. Parade days in small Connecticut towns are basically the Olympics of finding parking spaces. Somebody always ends up trying to squeeze a Ford Explorer into a spot designed for a shopping cart.

The good news is these temporary traffic headaches come with a pretty meaningful reason. The Memorial Day Parade is one of those local traditions that gives the community a chance to honor and remember the men and women who served our country.

So yes, traffic might be annoying for a few hours, but at least it’s for something bigger than somebody rubbernecking a fender bender on I-84 again.