The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Detroit has been canceled in anticipation of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's recommendation that large public gatherings be called off or postponed, according to officials with knowledge of the decision.

This year, the United Irish Societies expected to attract 100,000 spectators to its 62nd annual parade in Corktown.

Organizers had been weighing their options and consulting with city officials when they learned of the governor's recommendations, which prompted the cancellation of the parade, which brings thousands of people to Michigan Avenue.

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This is the first cancellation in parade president Michael Kelly's 25 years with the parade, he said.

"We've had rain, cold, all types of weather and still it happened," Kelly said. "This was our first year in a while that we were expecting good weather and this happens."

Corktown's parade isn't the only one that's been cancelled due to health concerns, St. Patrick's Day parades were also cancelled in Chicago, Pittsburgh and Ireland.

Contact Miriam Marini at mmarini@gannett.com