GBCA is proud of the Villanova Wildcats, National Champions for 2018, and is excited for the upcoming parade and celebration for the team.

The parade is scheduled for Thursday, April 5, 2018. The Wildcats will parade down Market Street from 20th Street to Philadelphia City Hall starting at 11 a.m. There will be a pep rally at Dilworth Park once the team arrives at City Hall. Starting at 9:30 a.m, police will close Market Street, starting from 20th to 30th Street Station, and then to City Hall. Click below to get more details about the parade route, road closures, parking restrictions, and SEPTA plans:

The parade is only for part of the day, but its setup, duration, and ending will disrupt regular work along and near the parade route. If your job site is on, or within a few blocks of the parade route, please plan accordingly. The following were tips that GBCA provided for the Eagles Parade. While this parade is smaller, these tips should still be considered, especially for active construction sites along the parade route.

Crowd Control Issues

  • The city anticipates a few thousand people to gather for this parade. While the parade is not scheduled to begin until 11 am, job sites directly on the parade route, and within 1-2 blocks of the route, should expect attendees to arrive early. Some may have parade-viewing equipment with them, including chairs, coolers, and other paraphernalia. Anticipate extra litter.
  • We expect people to want to climb for the “best” vantage points for the parade. See below for suggestions on anticipating and minimizing hazards. While the parade takes place during the day, plan for individuals drinking, and possibly acting in a mob mentality or engage in fights. Tipsy and drunk attendees may attempt to climb objects more recklessly than their sober counterparts.
  • The Philadelphia Police has reminded the city that anything suspicious should be reported: If you see it, report it.
  • Parade attendees are looking for a party. They may not respect that your job site is active, nor may they respect your security personnel or workers trying to do their jobs.

Safety Measures to Secure Your Job Site

Check if any places on your job site could be good vantage points for the parade—such points should be the focus of your safety measures. Here are some specific things that you can do to ensure that your job site is safe for your employees, and for the general public:

  • Be sure that the entire construction site is fenced in and marked no admittance. Put up signage identifying specific dangers around the job site.
  • Close and lock up entrances with barricades or additional temporary fencing during the time of road closures. Keep in mind that deliveries just before and after road closures will be difficult.
  • Secured temporary fencing is better than barricade tape. Keep in mind that certain styles of fencing are less easy to climb. For example, chain-link fencing is easy to climb.
  • Remove keys from motorized equipment and LOCK them. Engage fuel shut-offs if possible to avoid accidental start-up of equipment.
  • Walkways and scaffolding above the sidewalk will look inviting. Make sure that scaffolding is secured, and that access points are closed off.

If you have any questions about securing your job site, please call Frank Durso at 215-568-7015 or e-mail him at fdurso@64.207.152.120.