The appearance of a large dragon on the Cornell University campus Thursday afternoon (March 18) will cause staggered road closings and delays on central campus between 1 and 3:30 p.m.

The annual Dragon Day Parade, in which College of Architecture, Art and Planning students build and parade a mock dragon through campus, will begin at 1 p.m., when the dragon, with its attendants, leaves its lair in Rand Hall.

Cornell Police advise motorists to avoid driving through central campus on University, East and Central avenues, and Tower, Garden and Campus roads during the early afternoon. During that time, vehicular access to central campus will be highly restricted, and bus routes will probably be delayed.

After leaving Rand Hall, the dragon will travel east on University Avenue, turn right (south) onto East Avenue and proceed to Campus Road. It will then turn right (west) onto Campus Road and proceed to the intersection of Campus Road and Central Avenue, where it will turn right (north) onto South Central walkway, through Ho Plaza and enter the Arts Quad between Uris and Olin Libraries.

Cornell Police and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety ask the campus community to enjoy the festivities in a safe fashion and remind marchers and parade viewers that local laws and campus code regulations will be enforced.