This is information for the 2013 Big Parade. 

We always walk together, at the pace of the slowest walker. Nobody gets left behind!

Remember—and this is most important: This is a community walk. That means we stay together as a group, and it means that YOU CAN DO IT! Why? Because we break the walk into segments so that walkers of all ages and levels of fitness can join us at specific times (of course, anyone is welcome to meet us at any point along the way - and all are invited to join us at the end to celebrate the walk).

A core group of will be doing the entire event. But - as the name “Big Parade” implies - the true nature of the journey is public-based. In addition to passing dozens of landmarks, we will be joined by community members, both individuals and in groups, as we pass through the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. The walk is broken into specific segments.

Here’s how to do it: 

First, remember that the Big Parade is a walk with neighbors. No whip-cracking. We move slowly, have fun, and do fun things along the way. The route is easy to join, whether you want to come for a mile, an hour, or for the entire two days!

Second, refer to the timetables and route maps - see the link on the left side of this page. They contain specific times, addresses, and other info on where we’ll be and how to meet us there.  Please remember to check back on Thursday, May 16 - there may be last-minute changes that you’ll want to know about.

There are also bonus events, including a Friday prologue and a party on Saturday night. See the bottom of this page for details. 

After you’ve looked at the timetables, here’s how to Join The Parade:

• Each day is divided into a series of attached loops. The timetables describe the loops, and tell you where and when to join us. If return instructions are necessary, they’re included.

• Each day includes a main loop of about five miles. That’s the easiest and most convenient choice. 

• FOLLOW LIVE: You can also join us by following our stairway-by-stairway progress on Twitter.  Real-time map updates will be available at www.bigparadela.com/twitter, even if you’re  not a follower/group member. 

What Each Day is like:

Day One is longer, with more stairways, and more culture-oriented. It departs 830AM at the bottom of the Angel’s Flight Railway/Stairway, in downtown Los Angeles, Hill Street between 3rd and 4th Streets. 

Day One will include two talks about architecture and preservation, along with other cultural talks. The main loop for Day One incorporates is in Echo Park. It includes a lunchtime performance from the Ukelele Orchestra of the Western Hemisphere and about 25 stairways. Because it happens in a relatively compact area, it is very possible to leave the walk and get to the start point quickly without doing all those stairs.

Day Two is shorter, with some cross-country sections, including a finale segment through Griffith Park. It includes poetry readings, a discussion of urban parrots, a visit to the beautiful and secret Corralitas Red Car Site, and a lunchtime performance by the Swords of Fatima. It Departs 8:30 AM at the bottom of the Music Box Stairs, Vendome at Del Monte, in Silverlake. 

Both days will include surprise guests, live music, and lots of other fun stuff. 

BONUS EVENTS:

PROLOGUE: Friday, led by Bob Inman: Ten Miles in Northeast LA, leaving from the Metro Gold Line Lincoln/Cypress Station at 9AM. Info here.

POT LUCK: Saturday, 6PM: Join us at the Micheltorena Elementary Garden for a potluck reception hosted by the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, with music, good company and cheer and help give a warm welcome for the Big Parade LA 2013 as it arrives into Silver Lake. Included will be a photo exhibition of Big Parade sites - then and now - by Bob Inman. Info here.