If your dinner reservations coincide with a parade time, you can experience the parade and still make the reservations on time. First, understand the parade runs for a little under half an hour. So, if the parade is at 4:30 and your dinner reservations are at 5:00, you can theoritcially make it. First, position yourself on the side of the street that your restaurant is on. If you get caught on the opposite side of the street, you won't be able to cross. Also, make sure that you're as close to the restaurant as you can while still enjoying the parade. Also note, although the parade begins at a certain time, the farther down the route you are, the longer it will take for the parade to reach you and end.