Hartford - The Traffic Division of the Hartford Police Department is providing the following information with respect to this weekend's Saint Patrick's Day Celebration in Downtown Hartford:

Saturday, March 15, 2009 - 38th Annual Greater Hartford Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Saint Patrick Day Parade assembly will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Capitol Avenue between Washington and Broad Streets and step off time is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.  See the following link for the parade route.  Saint Patrick's Day Parade Route Map.  The I-84 Eastbound Capitol Avenue Exit Ramp will be closed from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.  The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 10:30 a.m.:

• Capitol Avenue between Main Street and Broad Street

• Main Street between Capitol Avenue and Church Street

• Asylum Street between Main Street and Spruce Street

• Ford Street to Trinity Street

• Trinity Street between Ford Street and Capitol Avenue

• Conlin Whitehead Highway at Columbus Boulevard Exit (Columbus Exit will be open)

Streets will begin to reopen at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 16, 2009 - O'Hartford 5K Road Race

The O'Hartford 5K Road Race will begin on Sunday, March 16th at 12 noon at Trumbull and Asylum Street.  The finish line is at Trumbull and Pearl Streets.  Click on the following link for race route O'Hartford 5K Road Race Map.  Street closures will begin at 12:00 noon and include:

• Asylum Street between Main and Spruce Street

• Entire length of Ford Street, Jewell Street, Trinity Street and Elm Street

• Pearl Street between Main Street and Jewell Street

• Conlin Whitehead Highway at Columbus Boulevard Exit (Columbus Exit will remain open)

Public parking is available in various lots and garages near the XL Center area and the Connecticut Convention Center.  Click here for information about parking in Downtown Hartford and map of Downtown Hartford public parking garages.  Visit Business for Downtown Hartford Restaurant Guide.