OCEAN CITY, Md.- The 42nd Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade is cancelled in Ocean City this weekend. This is only the fourth time the parade has been cancelled in its long history. And after months of preparations, people are left wondering what this means. The town says they do not have any Ocean City events scheduled that are cancelled, but are leaving it up to the individual promoters to make a decision. Many businesses are going to remain open in Ocean City and operate as normal this weekend. Many are hopeful that it still draws a large crowd, and people still take advantage of other parts of the town. But they said it is a little bit disappointing. Terrence Kirby, the owner of Kirby's Pub said, "It's unfortunate just because this whole virus has made things unfortunate." The Delmarva Irish American Club decided to cancel the parade over rising concerns about COVID-19. The town says this is a much anticipated event. Rick Meehan, the Ocean City Mayor said, "The Saint Patrick's Day Parade is always scheduled for the same date, the first Saturday, the Saturday before Saint Patrick's day, or the day itself, there is no make up date for the parade." The club says it was a very hard decision. Buck Mann, Chairman of Saint Patrick's Day Parade said, "But for the health, welfare and safety of our guests and our community, it was definitely the right decision." But this decision is having a trickle effect on businesses in Ocean City. Dry 85 which is along the parade route in Ocean City says that they had to turn away half their order after they found out that the parade was cancelled. But one of the head chefs says that he still expects a big crowd to be here in town anyway. Jason Bernstein, Head Chef at Dry 85 said, "I absolutely think they're still on their way, they're going to be here and I think that they're going to be in full force, so I'm hoping for a great weekend." And the town hopes that people listen to health officials if they plan to be out and about in the town. "So I think that you're going to see all of our businesses take whatever precautions they can to make their areas safe and encourage people to be safe while they are there," Meehan said. As for those who already prepped for the big event that was supposed to take place, they say nothing has changed. "If they already have rooms booked and they're willing to come out we'll be open. I mean it's NCAA's it's basketball big time March Madness season, conference tournaments," Kirby said. But the club says there's always next year. "See you next year. We want to be there I don't, don't mark us off we'll definitely be there," Mann said.
The town says it will continue to monitor whatever health officials say and will take this one day at a time moving forward.