Huntsville cancels St. Patrick's Day Parade due to coronavirus

Huntsville cancels St. Patrick's Day Parade due to coronavirus

Put off.

For the first time in 43 years... the saint patrick's day parade planned for this weekend is now cancelled due to the corona virus threat.

The state health department says people should avoid big crowds with more than 500 people together at one time.

Waay-31s alexis scott spoke with the organizer of the event on what this means for them.

Already shot the saint patty's day parade is known to bring tens of thousands of people to downtown huntsville to celebrate... but no one will be marching these streets tomorrow - because of this new virus.

Anya douglas, president of irish society in north alabama "everybody was in an agreeance that if the state of alabama and the city of huntsville said you know we need to cancel, we'll cancel," anya douglas is the head organizer for the saint patrick's day parade and she told she's been speaking with all of their sponsors... along with the state to be in compliance with keeping everyone safe.

They made the decision to cancel the parade thursday evening.

Their biggest sponsor... straight to ale... decided to hold an event on saturday in lieu of the sudden changes.

Anya douglas, president of irish society in north alabama "we're going to have lots of fun," douglas told me though some people may be upset the parade isnt happening..

This is still a time to celebrate a culture safely... and with family and friends.

Anya douglas, president of irish society in north alabama "in the end while we do want this parade, everybody have a grand time...the health and welfare of everybody who lives in huntsville, even those who don't attend the parade, is the number one priority," already shot several places downtown such as jefferson street pub and others will have a saint patrick's day themed events ... so organizers encourage you to still come and celebrate with them if you can.

Reporting in huntsville, alexis scott waay-31 news we are learning more about the coronavirus, its affects across the world,