30,000 Expected for Sunday's AIDS Walk

More than 30,000 people are expected Sunday for the 28th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles through West Hollywood and L.A., a 6.2-mile walk raising funds for AIDS Project Los Angeles.

The walk begins and ends at West Hollywood Park. Participants are scheduled to sign in at 8:30 a.m. and should enter the park at Melrose Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard. The opening ceremony is at 9:15 a.m. at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards, with the walk starting at 10 a.m. 

The opening ceremony will include speeches by West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Last year's walk raised nearly $3 million, with proceeds going to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and advocacy programs. Due to Space Shuttle Endeavour's move to L.A. during the same weekend, the walk will use a shortened route this year.

Since its inception in 1984, the walk has raised more than $72 million to fight HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles County.

There will be closures on the following West Hollywood streets:

• San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from 6 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.
• San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Cynthia Street from 12 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14.
• San Vicente Boulevard between Beverly Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. 
• Robertson Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14.
• La Peer Drive between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14.
• Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and Holloway Drive from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14.
• La Cienega Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. 
• Melrose Place between La Cienega Boulevard and Orlando Avenue from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. 
• Melrose Avenue between La Cienega Boulevard and Doheny Drive from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14.
• Melrose Avenue between San Vicente Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14.
• Fairfax Avenue between Melrose Avenue and Beverly Boulevard from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. 
• Beverly Boulevard between Fairfax Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. 
• Rosewood Avenue between San Vicente Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14.

Cross traffic will be allowed at: 

• Harper Avenue at Melrose Avenue (northbound and southbound traffic) 
• Crescent Heights Boulevard at Melrose Avenue (northbound and southbound traffic) 
• Oakwood Avenue at Fairfax Avenue (eastbound and westbound traffic) 
• Sweetzer Avenue at Beverly Boulevard (northbound and southbound traffic) 
• La Cienega Boulevard at Beverly Boulevard (southbound traffic Only)

Parking permits in district 1 & 2 will be lifted from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. All parking meters will be enforced.

There will be limited free parking available at the Beverly Connection at 100 N. La Cienega Boulevard and at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers at 8631 and 8635 W. 3rd Street. Shuttles will be available every 30 minutes before and after the event. Carpooling is encouraged.

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