Raleigh lifts pause on parade permits, plans St. Patrick's Day parade without vehicles
The city of Raleigh is in the process of planning its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade without motorized vehicles.
On Friday, the city announced it has lifted its “temporary pause” on parade permit applications.
“We have talked with the organizers of the St. Patty’s Day parade,” a city spokesperson wrote in an email to WRAL News. “We have invited them to submit an application for a non-motorized parade.”
The parade’s website states organizers are planning to hold the event at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16.
On Nov. 18, Raleigh held its 79th annual Christmas Parade without vehicles.
After 11-year-old Hailey Brooks was killed by an out-of-control pickup truck while performing in the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade, the city moved to cancel future parades. In response to complaints from the public and Hailey’s parents, the city relented, and the 2023 Christmas parade was held without motor vehicles.
Raleigh also canceled the 2023 North Carolina Veterans Day Parade, which had been scheduled for Nov. 4. That parade was planning to have about 150 vehicles.
“Our top priority is the health, safety and welfare of our community as we to determine how to move forward with parades,” the City spokesperson wrote. “We are evaluating more stringent safety regulations.
“We have met with several parade organizers to get their input and recommendations. We are actively benchmarking and connecting with other cities and organizations across the state and the country to see what restrictions they may have in place around vehicles and parades. Because of the nature of this task, we do not have a definitive timeline for next steps.”
