Road closures set for Dover's downtown Christmas Parade

DOVER - Dover announced the following road closures and parking restrictions for the Dover Holiday Parade

set for Sunday.

The parade begins at 3 p.m. and will follow its traditional route along Central Avenue (NH Route 108), beginning at the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, 550 Central Ave., and finishing at Cleary Cleaners, 120 Central Ave.

Central Avenue will be closed to all traffic from 2:45-4:45 p.m. from Chestnut Street to Stark Avenue and East Watson Street. This closure includes much of the downtown area. Temporary traffic detours will be in effect, but motorists not coming to watch, participate, or visit the downtown are encouraged to avoid the downtown area entirely.

Additional street closures will be in effect from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accommodate parade staging and setup. These include:

· Sixth Street, between Horne Street and Central Avenue;

· Maple Street, between Sixth and Hough streets;

· Grove Street, between Fifth and Hough streets;

· Mt. Vernon Street, between Sixth and Milk streets.

Parking restrictions will be posted on Sixth Street between Horne Street and Central Avenue beginning at 9 a.m. on Sunday and in other locations where necessary along the parade route. Parking is allowed on most of the parade route, but motorists cannot move their vehicles during the Central Avenue closure.

Dover Police is coordinating with CSX Transportation railways for the temporary suspension of freight trains at the downtown crossings to accommodate the event. Amtrak Downeaster passenger train service will not be interrupted. Questions about traffic implications may be directed to the Police Department's Traffic Bureau at 603-742-4646.

The Dover Holiday Parade is produced by Cochecho Friends, a group of local citizens. Additional information is available at https://cochechofriends.com/dover-holiday-parade.