Biloxi cancels St. Patrick’s Day Parade as coronavirus cases rise in Mississippi
Add Biloxi to the list of cities that have canceled St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich had said Thursday the Hibernia Marching Society St. Patrick’s parade and Grillin’ on the Green would be held as scheduled on Saturday.
But on Friday, after the State Department of Health announced two more presumptive cases of the new coronavirus in southern Mississippi, Gilich said the St. Patrick’s events will be moved to the fall.
The city said in an email Friday the size of the expected crowd has grown considerably since other parades were canceled and more visitors and vendors were planning to come to Biloxi.
Earlier this week, the country’s major St. Paddy’s Day parades in Boston, Savannah and Chicago were canceled. New Orleans and Jackson also had canceled their parades.
“We viewed the parade and the Town Green event as local events, but with the changing backdrop over the past few days, we’re facing the real potential for thousands more people from other states coming to our city on Saturday,” Gilich said. “These would no longer be local events, and the risk of the unknown is too great.”
Friday’s Special Needs St. Patrick’s dance also was canceled.
The Waveland parade, scheduled for Saturday, was canceled on Thursday.
“This was not an easy decision, however the health and safety of our employees, residents and visitors is paramount,” Waveland Mayor Mike Smith said on social media.
The St. Patrick’s Day event in downtown Ocean Springs from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Tuesday’s are still on as of Friday afternoon. Also still on the schedule is the Inaugural Ocean Springs St. Patrick’s Day Golf Cart Parade at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.
What’s on?
A few other events are still happening this weekend.
▪ The Temptations will take the stage at Studio A at IP Casino.
▪ Due South Tatoo & Art Expo at IP Casino’s Studio B started Friday and continues to Sunday, said organizer Matt Stebly. About four artists decided they didn’t want to make the trip, he said. The organizers are taking all precautions, he said, and he asks those who aren’t feeling well not to come to the event.
▪ Barbashela BBQ & Music Festival is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Beauvoir, the Jefferson Davis Home & Presidential Library, 2244 Beach Blvd., Biloxi. Admission is $12.50 for adults, $7.50 for children 6-18 and $10 for seniors/military.
▪ George Thorogood & the Destroyers perform Friday at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.
▪ Ship Island Excursions start Saturday from Gulfport.
Check the Coastal Mississippi calendar for other events.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 1:06 PM.
