Traffic, Parking, Other Rules for Those Attending Turkey Bowl Game on Thanksgiving

The 2019 Darien-New Canaan Turkey Bowl starts at 10 a.m., Thanksgiving morning at Darien High School, and for the 4,000 people with tickets, there are rules about where to park and how to get onto the high school campus.

Expect delays in traffic, so give yourself plenty of time.

If you’re one of the lucky people parking on the campus, you got your parking pass with your tickets. Don’t forget to bring it.

If you don’t have a parking pass (or forgot to bring it or you lost it or the dog ate it or you left it in your unlocked car and it was stolen overnight), you’re not going to get in. There are several parking lots you can use (see the announcement below for which ones).

If you’re parking at Middlesex Middle School or the Noroton Heights Railroad Station, a shuttle bus service (from the “northbound, lower-level lot” — the side of the tracks nearest the highway) can take you to the high school, starting at 9 a.m.

If you’re parking on campus, you can drive in after 8:30 a.m., and only through the Noroton Avenue entrance. The others will be closed to vehicle traffic. Have your parking pass on the dashboard, where police can see it, as you enter.

The Darien Athletic Foundation’s live coverage will be an alternative for those who are not able to purchase tickets due to limitations in seating.

The police announcement below doesn’t mention it, but an earlier announcement from the high school said, “No tailgating will be permitted on any Darien school campuses, per the Darien Police Department.”

• One tip: Be nice to the New Canaan fans, before, during and after the game. Don’t make memories of bad behavior compete with memories of Darien’s rightful, inevitable victory. Tell your kids that.

Darien Police Announcement

Here’s the police announcement, with more information:

Due to the traditionally large turnout for the Thanksgiving Day football game between Darien and New Canaan High Schools, the Darien Police Department advises that the following traffic regulations are being put into effect for the area surrounding Darien High School on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, 2019.

Those attending should plan for traffic delays and needing extra time to arrive at this event. All vehicle traffic will enter the DHS campus via Noroton Avenue. High School Lane and Nutmeg Lane will be closed to incoming vehicle traffic at 7 a.m.

Those walking to the event will be permitted to enter at these locations.

Parking on campus is limited and will be available only to those who have the issued event parking passes. Only vehicles displaying the issued event parking pass on the dashboard will be permitted to enter the Darien High School campus beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Vehicles without a parking pass are required to park at one of the satellite parking locations at Frate Park (Leroy Avenue), St. Thomas More Church, Middlesex School, or the Noroton Heights Train Station.

A shuttle service will be in use from Middlesex School and the Noroton Heights Train Station (northbound lower-level lot) beginning at 9 a.m.

Game admission tickets and parking passes are sold out and are no longer available for this event.

A handicap permit is required to park in the limited number of handicap parking spaces available. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking regulations and designated tow away zones will be strictly enforced. Previous experiences have resulted in illegally parked vehicles blocking driveways or restricting access to emergency vehicles. Vehicles causing these types of hazards will be towed.

— This article originally was published Nov. 24. The time stamp has been changed to put the link back on the home page.