The Big Parade takes place the weekend of May 2-3, 2015, with a northeast LA prologue on Friday, May 1. Families can participate in as much—or as little—as they choose. The full route goes from downtown to the Griffith Observatory, 35 miles in two days, and is split into sections with scheduled meet-up times and places.

Note that the details that follow are still approximate. Official times and locations are released the day before, and even then remain somewhat loose.

Special activities include the Saturday stroller-friendly Children's Loop, a Saturday night movie screening, live music by Gabriel Kahane, poetry performances, and picnics. Each day includes one 5-mile Main Loop, which has the most variety of that day's choices. Several loops are available on both Saturday and Sunday. Choose your loop based on its location, length, music, activities, or scheduled time. There are also surprise guests, music, and/or activities each day. Be sure to bring food, water, and sunscreen!

The activities and times below are part of the preliminary schedule. The finalized schedule is posted on The Big Parade website on Friday, May 1. Public transit options are included on the website schedule as well. What follows is an approximate schedule, very much subject to change (please check the official schedule before heading out!):

Saturday, May 2

8:30am, Grand Park

• All-of-Downtown Loop, urban planning themed, with lots of stairways. (5.5 miles, 2 hours)
• Grand Park Mini Loop, a shorter version and stroller-friendly (with help on any stairs). Finishes by the fountain (2.5 miles)

10am, Vista Hermosa Park

        • Ugly Buildings and Pretty Parks Loop (2.5-4 miles, round trip)

11:30am, Echo Park

• Echo Park is the heart of stairway-rich Los Angeles, and the heart of The Big Parade. (5.7 miles)

4pm, South of Sunset to Silver Lake.

• Includes a loop around the almost-refurbished Echo Park Lake. (2-4 miles)

6pm, Micheltorena Community Garden (corner Sunset Blvd. and Micheltorena St.)

• Community Pot Luck and Photo Exhibit.

Sunday, May 3

8:30am, Music Box Stairs, Laurel and Hardy Park, 925 Vendome Street

• Walk to main loop start (1 hour)

9:30am, La Mill Coffee 1636 Silverlake Boulevard

• Main Loop, Silver Lake history and architecture, including remnants of LA's original mass transit system and a lovely stairway. (4 miles, 3.5 hours)

1pm, Silverlake Rec Center, 1850 W Silverlake Boulevard

• Lunch and live music, main loop ends here.
• Parade continues through West Silverlake. (approx 2.5 miles)

3pm, Casita del Campo Restaurant, 1920 Hyperion Avenue

• Franklin Hills; 14 stairways in 2 miles

4:30pm, Los Feliz Municipal Golf Course.

• The town and country leg; Frank Lloyd Wright, Griffith Observatory. (2.4 miles, 1 hour)

7pm, Arrive Griffith Observatory

• Stay for the sunset. Return options will be discussed.

Friday, May 1 Prologue

The Friday prologue is a 12-mile hike along the LA River paths. Be sure to see The Big Parade's web page or Facebook page if your family is interested in this hike.

Originally published May 12, 2013.