Fourteen years ago the Wichita St. Patrick's Parade returned as an annual event in the Historic Delano District. Many people came to know this as Wichita’s only St. Patrick’s Parade and were able to look forward to it every year.
However, for the last two years the parade was canceled due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and the impact it had.
On Tuesday, parade coordinators Cameron and Nancy Lawrence announced that they will no longer continue with the Delano St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In a release they said, "It is with a heavy heart that moving forward, we have made the decision not to continue."
In March of 2020 they were one of the first events in Wichita to cancel its operation due to COVID, and the impact it could possibly have on crowds. They noted that the pressure built up during the weeks leading up to the event, and the day before the parade, they were forced to call it off.
"Overtime our team’s lives have changed, and our passions along with them, said Cameron Lawrence. "Personally, I want to thank you for the 14 years of celebrating with us since the parades inception. I also want to thank my grandmother, Nancy Lawrence for all of the hard work she put into this parade each year," he added. "You have given us so many wonderful memories, and we are grateful."