Baltimore's annual Columbus Day parade will begin at 2 p.m. today near the base of Federal Hill and march around the Inner Harbor, down Pratt Street, ending on Central Avenue in Fells Point.

The staging area for the parade will be along Key Highway from Covington Street to Cross Street, which will be closed starting at 11 a.m.

Three hours later, the parade will head west on Key Highway, north on Light Street, east on Pratt Street, south on President Street and east on Fleet Street to Central Avenue.

The public is invited to watch anywhere along the route. Police will be stationed along the road to allow traffic to pass through during breaks in the parade. Motorists are encouraged to avoid these areas and use alternate routes.