Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Harrisburg St. Patrick’s Day parade, other events, cancelled due to coronavirus concerns

Harrisburg’s 2nd Street, where the St. Patrick’s Day parade was due to take place.

There will be no St. Patrick’s Day parade in Harrisburg this year, due to the nationwide coronavirus health crisis.

The Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID), which sponsors the event, made the decision on Thursday afternoon to scratch the March 21 parade, saying it was canceling the annual march “due to safety and health concerns related to COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus.”

Likewise, the Lucky Charm 5K/10K, which was to precede the race, has been cancelled, though runners are encouraged to complete a “virtual race” of equivalent distance to receive their medals.

In its press release, the HDID said that the 2020 St. Patrick’s Day parade would not be rescheduled, but that fees, sponsorships and donations would automatically be applied to next year’s parade. Alternatively, people can request a refund in writing by mail to HDID at 22 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg, 17101, or by email to Sydney@HarrisburgDID.com.

The parade and race cancellations are arguably the most visible cancellations yet in the Harrisburg area due to coronavirus concerns. Other cancellations today included the Central PA Handbell Festival and Workshop for this weekend and VIBE, the largest annual event of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber  & CREDC, which was slated for March 18 at Hershey Lodge.

“We understand the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) for your business, your employees and your families,” said Harrisburg Chamber/CREDC president and CEO David Black, in a statement. “The health and safety of our community is our top priority.”

On the local stage, Gamut Theatre Group announced that it would cancel all public performances for the next three weeks, starting with its Friday performance of “An Enemy of the People.”

“This is a difficult decision and was not decided lightly,”  said Will Mueller, Gamut spokesperson, in a statement. “This decision will cause financial hardship for our company, of which we will feel the ripple effects for some time.  But nothing is more important than keeping our community safe and healthy.”

These cancellations came soon after Gov. Tom Wolf released a statement this afternoon urging the suspension of gatherings of more than 250 people, as well as discouraging travel to recreational activities such as gyms, movie theaters and shopping malls.

As of Thursday, the commonwealth has reported 22 suspected cases of coronavirus in Pennsylvania, although none so far in the immediate Harrisburg area. Of these cases, 13 have been reported in Montgomery County.

“While people are free to travel, I ask that everyone refrain from non-essential travel,” Wolf said. “We all need to do our part to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The time to do this is now. We cannot wait.”

For the latest information on the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health website.

Continue Reading