The cities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor are preparing for this Saturday’s Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade.

The St. Joseph Department of Public Safety says the parade starts at 1 p.m. and road closures in St. Joseph will go into effect at 10 a.m. They include all masted boat traffic using the Bicentennial Bridge.

Traffic entering St. Joseph from the north will be detoured west to Port Street and then south to Lake Boulevard. Drivers wishing to continue south on M-63 will turn east to Jones Street or continue south on Lake Boulevard for the I-94 Business Loop. Traffic coming from the south will follow the same route in reverse. The detour will stay in effect through the end of the parade, around 3:30 p.m.

Parking in the city will be restricted on streets near the parade route during the same time. The Bicentennial Bridge will be closed from 10 a.m. through about 4 p.m.

Drivers are asked to go extra slow in the area around parade time.

Also, police say blankets and chairs will not be allowed along the parade route until 6 a.m. on the day of the parade. Any blankets or chairs placed before them will be removed and taken to the police department.

The St. Joseph Department of Public safety has released the following: