Erin go naught…. St Paddy's Day parades called off in Twin Cities

Paddy parade
Photo credit Entercom

Not even the luck of the Irish could rescue St. Patrick's Day parades in the Twin Cities.

Organizers for the scheduled parades in both Minneapolis and St. Paul on Thursday announced cancellation of the festivities because of coronavirus concerns.

From the St. Patrick's Association of St. Paul:

"We have made the heartbreaking decision to cancel the 2020 St. Patrick’s Day Parade of St. Paul. We take the health and safety of our members, volunteers, participants, spectators, and community very seriously."

From the Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Association:

"We have been asked alongside other cities across the nation to cancel our parade to prevent further spreading of the virus."

St. Paul's St. Patrick's Day Parade was first held in 1967, with Minneapolis starting its own version two years later.