We have seen it live 4 times, I think. To get a good spot on the sidewalk (you can also buy grandstand seats), you have to stake out your spot the night before and have someone there all night. We used to have "connections" that got us a parking spot about a block from the route, so we would park our RV, and take turns sleeping in the RV and on the sidewalk (or at least attempting to...!) The one time my mom let me spend the night out on the street was quite an experience. They close the street after midnight, if I remember correctly, so it is just this huge campout with hundreds of other people, and LOTS of police patrolling the area. Not for everyone, I guess, but it was a cool experience. (You don't get much sleep though...)