HARTFORD, Conn — *Editor's note: The picture featured is from a previous year.
The Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee, which sponsors the Greater Hartford St.Patrick's Day Parade, announced they will be canceling the parade for March 13, 2021.
The organization cited the current public health circumstances as the reason for the cancelation.
“This decision was not made lightly and we have everyone’s health and well-being at the forefront of our decision,” said Parade Chairwoman Elizabeth Saunders.
The Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee recognized parade organizers and thanked the volunteers for their fundraising efforts. It also said it appreciates the longstanding collaboration with Hartford.
Over the past several months, Connecticut has seen a rise in positive COVID-19 cases, experiencing a second wave of the virus. As of last week, 150 towns have been issued a COVID-19 red alert status due to the high number of cases.
The Committee added its planning a celebration with a "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" event for the fall of 2021. The Committee says this will be in anticipation of the 15th Annual Greater Hartfoe3r St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 12, 2020.
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin released a statement regarding the cancelation:
“This is the right and responsible decision, but it’s also one more blow to downtown restaurants and bars that have been so hard hit. Those restaurants urgently need relief, whether from the federal government or the state – so they can be around when we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2022 with the biggest parade yet.”
