is next weekend.

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We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. ~Anais Nin

I apologize if this question is redundant or has been covered in previous Odunde blogs, but we haven't had a car up until now.

How does the parking work? We have a street permit, but will there be any parking available for residents if we are out during the day and come back at night? What have previous experiences been? Thanks in advance for responses.

My advice is not to move your car unless you really have to because the chances of getting parking are nil until after 9/10 at night.

I agree.... do not move your car from 10am onward. Around 8 or 10am the vendors set up and they often have their panel vans parked all over the place.

After noon things get crazier and crazier (crowd and traffic on the non-closed streets) until things start emptying out after 8 or 9pm.

It's a great time. Each year we basically plan to stay in the city, eat good food, listen to music and watch the impromptu b-boy stuff, and enjoy the fact that hundreds of thousands of people are enjoying themselves in the neighborhood.

Will there be any streets blocked off on Saturday? Or is the parking situation just rough on Sunday b/c of the crowds and vendors?

Streets are only blocked on Sunday, but if you are on a blocked off street the "no parking" might start very early forcing you to move your car at some horrendous hour. Our street isn't one of those that's blocked so I don't know exactly how it works. The rest of the area is just clogged with traffic. I suspect that those of you with garages stand a good chance of being blocked in by people parking illegally.

I can't recall all the streets that are blocked from traffic -- I know Grays Ferry is blocked starting from Christian at the southern end, but Christian is open. I think much of South Street is blocked off -- certainly from 23rd east to maybe 21st. It might be helpful to know which streets will be closed to traffic.

A.

24tj and Cathrine is usually blocked

I remember them posting signs the night before to let you know where you can and can't park. Once you get a good, legal spot on Sat., leave it overnight and don't move it. One of my favorite things ever is being woken up at 6 AM to the sound of someone shouting into a microphone, telling people to move their cars. I think I may shut my windows and put my A/C on Sat. night, though that is not my usual preference.

My brother is driving in on Sunday with my niece. I was going to suggest that he park in that garage at 20th and Lombard because I doubt he will be able to get into the neighborhood otherwise. Any better suggestions for parking on Sunday?

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"We’re all so different
Though we seem the same
Through the native eye we look so vain"

lombard gets pretty backed up in the afternoon since anyone coming south on 21st, 23rd,
etc has to turn right on Lombard.

The lot at 24th & Sansom or 24th/Walnut is probably a better choice (and cheaper).

what an awesome time. Felt like being on vacation in my own backyeard. ould ve done without the heat though. The food was amazing.