2025 Parade Day Info

SUMMARY

Parade Route:

• Starts at 1844 14th Street (at T Street, NW)

• Ends at 919 Pennsylvania Ave (9th St., NW)

• Walking distance: 1.8 miles

• Expected duration (i.e.: our time in the parade): 2 hours.

• Official starting time: 2:00 p.m.

Timing:

• Suggested arrival: 2:00 p.m.

• Anticipated step-off: 3:00 p.m.

Transportation:

• Metro Rail is strongly encouraged.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Staging Area / Meeting location: Green Zone. Located between Q and R streets on15th St. NW. (Corcoran St. cuts through the middle of the Green Zone). Recommended web search: Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church 1701 15th Street NW Washington, DC  20009

• Nearest Metro stations: Green Line/U Street; Red Line/DuPont is also an option. Anticipate heavy foot traffic in the area and plan accordingly.

• Estimated Timeline:

  • 2:00 p.m. Requested arrival for all contingent participants at step-off location.

  • 2:15 p.m. Safety announcements

  • 2:30 p.m. Holy Communion

  • 3:00 p.m. Anticipated Step-off (Subject to change).

• Metro Stops at end of parade:

  • Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter at 7th and Penn (Green, Yellow)  600 ft.

  • Federal Triangle-near 12th and Penn  (Blue, Orange, Silver)  1700 ft.

  • Judiciary Square-between 5th SW and 4th SW on F Street NW (Red) 2440 ft.

  • Gallery Place-Chinatown- Hst NW and 7th Street (Green, Yellow, Red) 2720 ft.

  • Metro Center-G St NW and 12th NW (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver)  2000 ft.

• Candy: Throwing candy is no longer allowed. It must be handed out, which is a great ministry opportunity and chance to connect with spectators. People caught throwing candy may be removed from the parade by Safety Marshalls or Parade Security personnel.

• Float Riders: there is capacity for approximately 20 riders (Not ADA compliant).  Register here: FLOAT RIDER SIGN-UP.

• UMC Parade contingent participants: must wear the 2025 UM group t-shirt; individual church signage or t-shirts are not allowed.

DEEPER DIVE

• Transportation: we strongly recommend using public transportation to arrive at the step-off location.

• Guidance for participation: Each UMC organization is responsible for their group members. Participants need to be able to remain outdoors for 3 to 4 hours in hot weather and move independently.  UMC contingent participants must be 18 years or older.

• UMC Spectators not marching with the float will be gathering starting at 12:30 at the National City Christian Church located at 5 Thomas Cir NW, Washington, DC 20005.  There will be a UMC Holy Communion service at approximately 1:30 p.m. for spectors.

• Tech: Ensure that your mobile devices are fully charged when you arrive and consider bringing a backup power source. Also note that there will be a lot of cell traffic in the parade area and this may create network overload. This may limit your ability to send and receive calls/data at the parade.

• Bring water to stay hydrated during the parade; we suggest bringing more than you think you will need.

• Sun protection: Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and/or other UV protective gear.

• What to wear: lightweight, breathable clothing and comfortable/sturdy walking shoes (unstructured footwear such as flips are not recommended). Check the forecast for parade day and bring weather-appropriate gear. Clergy are encouraged to wear collars, stoles or other vestments.

• End of the parade: Proceed down 9th street. Float will turn right on Constitution Ave. for unloading. You are encouraged to join the festival by turning left on Constitution Ave.