PITTSBURGH -- The 2009 St. Patrick's Day Parade will bring a green mass of people marching through downtown Pittsburgh, starting outside Mellon Arena at 10 a.m. Saturday.

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Parade Route: The parade will run from Centre Avenue to Sixth Avenue, turn left onto Grant Street, turn right onto Boulevard of the Allies and then end at Stanwix Street.

Open containers of alcohol are not permitted along the parade route. Pittsburgh police said anyone who violates the open container law is subject to a $200 fine.

Public drinking is allowed in Market Square, but no coolers or drinks may be brought in or taken out. Any alcoholic beverages must be purchased inside the square.

The city will put up waist-high fences around the square so businesses can serve alcohol to people outdoors without being in violation.

Festivities in Market Square will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Alcohol sales will end at 3:30 p.m.

Entrances for patrons attending the Market Square events will be at Forbes and Stanwix, Forbes and Market Square, Market Place and Fifth Avenue, Graeme Street and Fifth Avenue.

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Parking Options: Street parking will be heavily restricted. Visit the Parking Authority Web site for a list of Downtown lots and garages and their rates.

Some Port Authority bus routes will be detoured because of the closings. The Port Authority Web site will have full details.

Parade Route Street Closures:

The following closures begin at 4 a.m.

- Blvd. of the Allies from Grant St. to Commonwealth
- All roads leading to Blvd. of the Allies at First and Third Avenue (Cherry Way, Smithfield St., Wood St., Market St. and Stanwix St.)
- Grant St. between Blvd. of the Allies and Third Ave. (southbound lanes only) and Court Place.

The following closures begin at 8 a.m.

- Centre Ave. between Crawford St. and Washington Place
- Washington Place and Bedford Ave. (inbound)
- Fifth Ave. and Washington Place (northbound)

The following closures begin at 9:30 a.m.

- Fifth Ave. and Washington Place (southbound)
- Centre Ave. from Washington Place to Sixth Ave.
- Sixth Ave. from Centre Ave. to Grant St.
- Grant St. between Seventh Ave. and Blvd. of the Allies

All roads are expected to reopen around 2 p.m.

Market Square Street Closures:

The following closures begin at 8 a.m.

- Forbes Ave. between Wood and Stanwix
- Delray between Fourth and Liberty Ave.
- Graeme St. between Market Place and Fifth Ave.
- Market St. between Market Place and Fifth Ave.
- McMasters Way between Fifth and Forbes Ave.