Kelly’s St. Patty’s Parade postponed till 2022
Mike Kelly’s iconic St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become another casualty of the raging COVID pandemic. This year’s parade has been rescheduled to March 2022.
In a Jan. 15 email to Lee Nettles, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Executive Director, Kelly, the parade founder and well-known restaurateur, wrote that, “This past week we reviewed the impact we felt Covid-19 would have on our 2021 St. Patrick’s Celebration. Given the surge the virus has displayed our parade committee has decided to postpone the March 14, 2021 ‘Wearing of the Green.’ We have chosen March 20 as our 2022 date for the 31st annual ‘Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.’”
“The St. Pat’s Parade has been the largest annual event in northeastern North Carolina hosting 8,000-10,000 participants & attendees on a regular basis,” the message continued. “The parade has featured regional entertainment, High School Bands, politicians, businesses, theme floats & an array of local talent & celebrities. The observance of the celebration the parade and the attached festivities has become the annual kickoff for the beginning of the upcoming ‘Tourist Season.’
While disappointed about delaying the event, we are looking forward to an improved health and well-being in not only northeastern North Carolina, but throughout our State, The United States and Worldwide.
We thank the Dare County Visitors Bureau for its continued support on multiple levels.”
