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Memorial Day traffic isn't the only thing Newark drivers have to look out for this weekend.

With the University of Delaware commencement in the morning and a slew of convocation ceremonies in the afternoon, Newark police recommend avoiding the entire area if at all possible Saturday. 

"It's like a football game on steroids," said Sgt. Gerald Bryda, a spokesman for the Newark Police Department.

Even floods of Blue Hens fans pouring out of Delaware Stadium after a big game can't compare with commencement, which is typically attended by about 23,000 people. 

The Newark Police Department alone will have well more than a dozen officers assigned to the area, many of them tasked with directing pedestrians to and from commencement, Bryda said. 

Parking lots around Delaware Stadium will open at 6 a.m., and the gates will open at 7 a.m. Bryda said major traffic delays should be expected from about 6 a.m to 9 a.m. and will stretch along South College Avenue (Del. 896) from I-95 to Main Street in Newark.  

Commencement exercises themselves will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. As soon as they are done, traffic is expected to back up again, this time stretching as far as Elkton Road and Library Avenue. 

"Basically everyone is emptying out of the stadium and going to other parts of campus for other ceremonies," Bryda said. "It takes about an hour to get everyone out." 

Things to know

Attending commencement? Here are some things University of Delaware officials say you should keep in mind: 

  • The free public event is held rain or shine. No tickets are needed. 
  • Do not bring any bags/backpacks unless absolutely necessary. Bags will be searched and security personnel have the right to deny admittance to any individual. 
  • It's recommended you arrive no later than 7:30 a.m. Students should go directly to the procession lineup area next to the Delaware Field House, just north of Delaware Stadium. 
  • Graduates will begin processing into the stadium at 8:30 a.m. 
  • The featured speaker will be Steve Mosko, a global media executive and a UD alumnus.
  • The ceremony will last approximately two hours. 
  • Don't forget to bring sunblock. 
  • Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. So are balloons. 
  • You may be asked to exit the parking lot from a different route than the one you used to enter. Please follow directions given by police officers and parking attendants to avoid accidents. 

Want to watch the commencement ceremony, but don't want to deal with the traffic? The ceremony will livestreamed on UD's Facebook page and at sites.udel.edu/udlive. 

Those who do attend can share their experience on social media using #UDGrad2018 and #BlueHensForever. 

Find detailed information on the commencement ceremony, as well as directions to recommended parking lots at sites.udel.edu/commencement. 

What's the difference between commencement and convocation? 

Commencement is a large event where students process onto the field at the Delaware Stadium, degrees are conferred by the president of the university, the graduating students are acknowledged, the commencement speaker delivers his/her address and several notable recipients are awarded honorary degrees. This is the only time when the entire graduating class is brought together.

Convocation is a smaller ceremony where students are individually recognized by their college or department and each graduating student walks across the stage to receive his/her graduation certificate. When a student graduates with a double major, he or she may choose to attend both convocations if time permits, or just one.

None of the events are mandatory, but most students attend as many as they can.

Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.

Looking for more education news? Visit delawareonline.com/education. Submit story ideas at delonline.us/2i2tugB. 

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