NORFOLK, Va. - For the third year in a row, the Norfolk St. Patrick's Day Parade has been canceled.
The past two years, it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it has been canceled due to the threat for severe weather Saturday.
The event was scheduled for Saturday morning, and there were an estimated 60,000 people supposed to attend.
With 250 entries for the parade, this is a blow to the city and people excited for the event once again.
On Thursday afternoon, the parade organizer said it is canceled due to safety concerns regarding Saturday’s severe weather threat.
Local business owner of Bar-Q, Jayme Campbell, said they will miss out on the opportunity to increase sales with the parade but hopes they will get stragglers or people that just want to get out of the house and do something.
He added, "I guess we’ve kind of been built for the obstacles, COVID has really brought some challenges to us so surprised, not surprised, but we’ll just roll with the punches, I guess."
This would have been the 53rd Norfolk St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The City of Norfolk said instead, there will be holiday festivities at the Columbian Club, located at 211 W. Government Avenue. You are advised to reach out to the club directly for event details.
There will be St. Patrick’s Day festivities at the Columbian Club (211 West Government Avenue). Please reach out to Columbian Club directly for event details on their private property.
— City of Norfolk, VA (@NorfolkVA) March 10, 2022
Due to severe inclement weather forecasted for the morning of March 12, and out of an abundance of caution, event organizer, Norfolk Parade Inc., in conjunction with the City of Norfolk, has decided to cancel this year’s St. Patrick's Day Parade for concerns of public safety.
— City of Norfolk, VA (@NorfolkVA) March 10, 2022
