The Wheeling Park High School band marches in last year’s Fantasy in Lights Parade. (File Photo)

WHEELING — The annual Fantasy in Lights Parade returns to Wheeling on Friday, where throngs of parade-goers will line the streets to catch a glimpse of floats, dancers, marching bands and Santa Claus himself. Parade step-off time will be 6:10 p.m.

With the parade comes traffic and parking restrictions to make sure parade participants can walk safely and parade viewers can see the festivities. The Wheeling Police Department announced Wednesday the restrictions that will be in place.

Due to ongoing downtown construction, the parade route will travel through Center Wheeling again this year. It will start at the intersection of 24th and Market streets and will make a right turn, traveling north along Main Street for several blocks. The route will then make another right turn at 20th and Main Streets, ending at the next intersection.

The public is urged to arrive early for the parade and be mindful of the influx of pedestrians and vehicles in Center Wheeling. The Intermodal Parking Garage, located at 1401 Main Street, will be open for parade parking. The Wheeling Police Department will have officers stationed at several intersections to direct traffic on foot, bikes, and patrol cars.

Most roads in and around Centre Market will close to the traveling public at 5:30 p.m. This area includes Main and Market streets from 20th to 26th streets. Only those with floats or involved in the parade will be permitted in this area once closed.

The west side of Market Street from 22nd-23rd Street will close a bit earlier at 4 p.m.

Chapline Street will remain open to traffic, except for the stretch between 20th and 22nd Street for ongoing demolition work.

Parking meters will be bagged and marked Friday with street closure times in various areas during the day.

Street parking will still be allowed at most bagged meters free of charge until 5 p.m. unless labeled “No Parking All Day” or “Parking until 4 p.m.”

Any vehicle parked on the parade route after 5 p.m. will be towed.