PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia released road closure information for the 2024 OURFest National Coming Out Parade and Festival that will take place on Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13.

Festival Activities & Information

This year’s event will begin with the OURfest: National Coming Out Parade on Saturday, October 12. The parade begins at 4 p.m. and will feature a colorful display of curated floats, community organizations, and live performances that spotlight the vibrancy of the LGBTQIA+ community in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. The parade will begin at 5th and Market Streets and end at Broad and Arch Streets.

OURfest: National Coming Out Festival and Resource Fair will take place on Sunday, October 13 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and will feature a resource fair, family-friendly programming, food trucks, beer gardens, and multiple performance stages featuring local artists, entertainers, and community speakers. For more information on OURFest Parade and Festival activities visit https://www.galaeiqtbipoc.org/ourfest/ 

OURfest: National Coming Out Parade and Festival/Resource Fair are “rain or shine”. Traffic delays can be expected during the course of the event. Motorists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes. Road closures, parking restrictions, and details for the OURfest: National Coming Out Parade and Festival/Resource Fair can be found below.

OURfest: National Coming Out Parade Route

  • Assembly area: 4th and Market Streets
  • Starts at 5th and Market Streets
  • Westbound on Market Sreet towards City Hall
  • Right turn onto Juniper Street
  • Left turn onto JFK Boulevard
  • Right turn onto N. Broad Street
  • Disperses at N. Broad Street and Arch Street

Road Closures

The following streets will be closed from 12 p.m. until the parade steps off on Saturday, October 12:

  • One lane of Market Sreet (W/B) from 4th Sreet to 5th Street

The following streets will be closed from 2 p.m. until the parade steps off on Saturday, October 12:

  • 4th Street from Arch Street to Market Street

The following streets will be closed from 3:30 p.m. to the conclusion of the parade on Saturday, October 12:

  • Market Sreet from 4th Street to City Hall
  • 4th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
  • 5th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
  • 6th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
  • 7th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
  • 8th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
  • 9th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
  • 10th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
  • 11th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
  • 12th Street from Vine Street to Chestnut Street
  • 13th Street from Vine Street to Chesnut Street
  • Arch Street from 13th Street to Broad Street
  • Race Street from Broad Street to 13th Street
  • JFK Boulevard from Market Street to 15th Street
  • N. Broad Street from JFK Boulevard to Vine Street
  • City Hall area from S. Broad Street to E. Market Street
  • S. Broad Street (eastside) from Chestnut Street to City Hall

Roads will be opened as they are serviced and cleaned. All event-related road closures will be lifted no later than 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 12.

Traffic delays can be expected during the event. Motorists and cyclists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes and to allow for extra driving time in areas near the event.

OURfest: National Coming Out Festival and Resource Fair

The following streets will be closed starting at 5 a.m. until approximately 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 13:

  • Juniper Street from Walnut Street to Pine Street
  • 13th Street from Walnut Street to Pine Street
  • S. Camac Street from Walnut Street to Pine Street
  • 12th Street from Walnut Street to Pine Street
  • Quince Street from Walnut Street to Pine Street
  • Chancellor Street from Juniper Street to 12th Street
  • Locust Street from Broad Street to 11th Street
  • Pine Street from Broad to 11th Street
  • Irving Street from Juniper Street to 13th Street
  • Spruce Street from Broad Street to 11th Street
  • St. James Street from 13th Street to 11th Street
  • Schubert Alley from S. Camac Street 11th Street
  • Manning Street from S. Camac Street to 11th Street
  • Cypress Street from Juniper Street to 11th Street

Parking Restrictions

The above-listed streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 13. Motorists must adhere to “Temporary No Parking” signs. Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated. If you believe your car has been relocated, call the police district of the area where your car was parked.

Public Transportation

SEPTA Bus Routes 4, 16, 17, 23, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 45, 47, 47M, 48, 57, 61, 124, and 125 will be detoured from their normal routes beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 12 through approximately 6 p.m. 

SEPTA Bus Routes,12, 23, and 45 will be detoured from their normal routes beginning at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 13 through approximately 8 p.m. 

Detours will be posted, and specific route changes are available on the System Status Page at www.septa.org.

Public Safety Information

Throughout the event, the City will provide law-enforcement support, traffic control, and emergency medical services for the event and in the surrounding vicinity. Emergency medical units will be stationed on Locust Street.

Attendees should never leave bags or other items unattended. In the event of an emergency or to report a suspicious person, activity, or item (backpack, package, container, etc.), notify a police officer immediately or call 9-1-1. Do not try to open, move, cover or touch a suspicious item.

In addition, the public should expect congestion in the area. If you are attending the event, make a plan regarding driving, public transit, parking, and supervision of children. It is recommended that attendees wear comfortable, weather-appropriate attire.

For tips and general information about being prepared and ready at special events, read the Special Event Safety Guide before you attend.

For more information about the OURFest National Coming Out Parade and Festival, visit https://www.galaeiqtbipoc.org/ourfest/.  

Trash Removal

At the conclusion of the event, all trash collection and street cleaning will be managed and handled by the Sanitation Division of the Streets Department. If you need to report any excess trash in the area, post-event, residents can call 3-1-1 or 215-686-8686. 

Event Alerts

Sign up for free text alerts from the City to get weather, transit, event details, and public safety updates. Text ReadyPhila (one word, no space) to 888-777.

Additional Information for Media

General media inquiries about the OURFest National Coming Out Parade and Festival should be directed to Tyrell Brown at Tyrell@galaeiqtbipoc.org.  

 

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