The Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade and Snake Saturday Parade have been cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19.It is the first time the St. Patrick's Day parade has been cancelled in its 48 year history.Sources tell KMBC the decision was made after the World Health Organization officially declared the virus a a global pandemic."Canceling the parade was not a decision we made lightly," said Adam Cannon, Parade Sr. Co-chair. Parade organizers said they will spend the next 24 hours regrouping and discussing the plan for moving forward. Click here to read a full statement from St. Patrick's Day parade organizers. Shortly after the announcement about the St. Patrick's Day Parade was made, Snake Saturday Parade organizers also made the decision to call off the event."It is with great regret, but with the utmost concern for public safety, that we take extra precaution and cancel the 36th Annual Snake Saturday Parade and Festival, including the Charity Cook-off," organizers said in a statement. "We recognize this is a huge disappointment to the charities, the spectators as well as every participant."The St. Patrick's Warm-Up Parade in Brookside also made the decision to cancel early Thursday morning.

The Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade and Snake Saturday Parade have been cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19.

It is the first time the St. Patrick's Day parade has been cancelled in its 48 year history.

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Sources tell KMBC the decision was made after the World Health Organization officially declared the virus a a global pandemic.

"Canceling the parade was not a decision we made lightly," said Adam Cannon, Parade Sr. Co-chair.

Parade organizers said they will spend the next 24 hours regrouping and discussing the plan for moving forward.

Click here to read a full statement from St. Patrick's Day parade organizers.

Shortly after the announcement about the St. Patrick's Day Parade was made, Snake Saturday Parade organizers also made the decision to call off the event.

"It is with great regret, but with the utmost concern for public safety, that we take extra precaution and cancel the 36th Annual Snake Saturday Parade and Festival, including the Charity Cook-off," organizers said in a statement. "We recognize this is a huge disappointment to the charities, the spectators as well as every participant."



The St. Patrick's Warm-Up Parade in Brookside also made the decision to cancel early Thursday morning.