If there are traffic detours in Ship Bottom on the first Saturday in December, it can mean only one thing: the annual Christmas Parade either is about to start, in full swing or has ended.

Beginning at noon on Dec. 7 through 4 p.m., the Boulevard will be shuttered from Second Street through 27th Street in the borough, law enforcement officials announced recently. All traffic will be rerouted to Barnegat and Central avenues for north- and south-bound traffic flow.