Worcester St. Patrick's Day Parade Cancelled Over Coronavirus

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester County St. Patrick's Day Parade committee on Tuesday afternoon made the decision to cancel the annual celebration amid the spreading coronavirus outbreak, organizers have confirmed. The decision follows Gov. Charlie Baker's declaration of a state of emergency in Massachusetts after the number of COVID-19 cases ballooned to 92.

The Worcester St. Patrick's Day parade began 38 years ago. The route travels through the downtown area along Park Avenue from Mill Street to Highland Street, and includes entertainment from all across the region. It was set to begin at noon on Sunday with state Rep. Harold P. Naughton Jr. as the grand marshal.

Given the state of emergency declared today by Governor Baker and in an abundance of caution, the Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade Committee and the City of Worcester have jointly decided to cancel the St. Patrick’s Parade and road race scheduled for Sunday, March 15.

The public health situation regarding COVID-19 will continue to be monitored and evaluated in regard to any possible options for rescheduling these events sometime in 2020.

— statement from Worcester County St. Patrick's Day parade organizers

The parade has only been disrupted twice in its history, but never because of a virus. In 2019, the parade was delayed by two weeks because of a snowstorm. The parade was also delayed in 1994 for the same reason.

The state's biggest St. Pat's celebration in South Boston was canceled earlier this week. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution." Another large parade in Holyoke was also canceled.

One of the new coronavirus cases announced on Tuesday is in Worcester County, but officials have not said named where the person lives.

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