Manassas Cancels St. Patrick's Day Parade Due To Coronavirus

MANASSAS, VA — The 2020 Greater Manassas St. Patrick's Day Parade, scheduled for Saturday, has been canceled due to public health concerns about the coronavirus, or COVID-19, parade organizers said Friday. Parade organizers made the decision in coordination with Manassas City and Prince William County officials.

The parade, in its 21st year, was scheduled to start at the corner of Quarry Road and Prescott Avenue at 11 a.m., with the public able to view the parade along Center Street in Old Town Manassas.

"This move was made of caution for the health and safety of those who would attend and the participants," the parade organizers said Friday. "With a state of emergency declared in Virginia, concerns about the coronavirus outbreak are foremost in our mind."

Debbie Haight, executive director of Historic Manassas, told InsideNoVA that she feels bad for downtown merchants that rely on the St. Patrick's Day Parade for boosting revenues.

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"That is a huge downturn for [downtown businesses]," Haight told the news site. "There’s no doubt that they count on that day, they look forward to that day not just in terms of food sales but the merchandise sales as well."

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