The Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club announced Thursday afternoon that their parade will not roll this year.
The threat of lightning associated with storms in Saturday's forecast led to the decision.
"This is a disappointing outcome, especially after the long and complex process of rescheduling this year’s parade," said Dickie Burke, President of the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club. "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the effort and helped us get this far."
The parade was initially set to run on Saturday, March 15. The threat of severe weather that day caused them to reschedule.
The club says it "acknowledges the tremendous coordination that went into gaining the necessary approvals and handling logistics for the rescheduled date. Although the parade will not roll this year, we are proud of the teamwork and determination that brought us to the finish line."
Even though the parade won't happen, a temporary polling center set up in anticipation of it disrupting voting during the March 29 election will remain open.
New Orleans City Councilmember Lesli Harris issued this statement:
In anticipation of the parade originally interfering with access to the polling site at NOFD Fire Station Engine 1 (2920 Magazine Street), Councilmember Harris proactively secured an emergency polling place relocation to:
ReNEW Laurel Elementary School
820 Jackson Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130
This change affects voters in Orleans Parish Precincts 11-02, 11-04, 11-05, 11-08, and 11-09. The temporary location is only 0.7 miles from the original site and will not affect voter registration status or precinct representation.
“While I’m disappointed the parade won’t roll this year, our top priority is always access to voting,” said Councilmember Harris. “This location change was made to ensure that nothing stood in the way of voters casting their ballots. That remains true, even with the parade canceled.”
For more information, please contact Emma Trunkle at emma.trunkle@nola.gov or 406-871-4693.
