You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade

Oh, what fun it is to … recover your illegally parked car from a towing service?

No, that’s not how the holiday ditty is supposed to go. So, to avoid creating a new Christmas classic based on frustration and unexpected costs, the Sarasota Police is warning anyone who normally leaves cars and trucks curbside in the vicinity of Main Street to be wary of road closures connected to the city’s annual holiday parade on Saturday night.

Photo by Ian Swaby

The annual parade from U.S. 301 to Gulfstream Avenue kicks off at 7 p.m., but parking enforcement begins early that morning, according to SPD. 

Here is a list of road closures and tow-away zones along the route.

• 7 a.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Main Street closed from U.S. 301 to U.S. 41
• 7 a.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Main Street closed from Orange Avenue to Osprey Avenue
• 11 a.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Main Street closed from U.S. 41 to Orange Avenue
• Noon Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Main Street closed from U.S. 301 to School Avenue
• Noon Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Fletcher Avenue closed from Main Street to Fruitville Road
• Noon Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Wallace Avenue closed from Main Street to Fruitville Road
• Noon Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: East Avenue closed from Fruitville Road to Ringling Boulevard
• Noon Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: School Avenue closed from Main Street to Fruitville Road
• Noon Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Audubon Place closed from Main Street to Fruitville Road
• Noon Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: First Street closed from Audubon Place to East Avenue
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Lemon Avenue closed from First Street to Main Street
• 3 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Gulfstream Avenue closed from U.S. 41 to McAnsh Square
• 5:30 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: U.S. 301 closed from Fruitville Road to Ringling Boulevard

Roads will reopen once the end of the parade reaches a two-block distance from each closure. Vehicles not removed by the posted time will be towed at the owner’s expense. For information on towed vehicles, contact Upman’s Towing at 941-365-7084.