— For the first time since the mid-1940s, Wake Forest won't have a Christmas parade this year.

Town officials announced Wednesday night that the parade was canceled "over concerns about public safety."

"We did not want to cancel the parade," Mayor Vivian Jones said Thursday.

The Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy was to be part of the parade this year, and Jones said that whipped up talk of protests and counter-protests online and in the media.

"It was just a logistical nightmare," the mayor said, noting one group planned to bring about 200 people.

"There have been people on both sides of the issue who have created a problem," she said.

Wake Forest Police Chief Jeff Leonard said in a news release that only one group had notified the town of its plans to protest, but the department was concerned about outsiders "that show up, wreak havoc, then leave."

"We aren’t happy telling kids they can’t attend or participate in this year’s parade, but it’s better than trying to explain to a parent whose child was injured why we chose to proceed despite so many warning signs,” Leonard said. “No matter what side of this issue you are on, our focus is public safety, and at this point, the risk of moving forward with the parade simply outweighs any possible reward."

Town spokesman Bill Crabtree said the nonprofit organization that sponsors the parade decided to cancel the event after earlier announcing that the parade would go off as scheduled "despite the participation of a local Confederate group."

The move prompted anger and disappointment among Wake Forest residents.

“Seventy-two years this parade has gone on, and we’re just letting people who shouldn’t win win and defeat us,” Tina Dina said. “We’re a beautiful small town. We have small-town feel, feelings, and we’re just letting somebody who shouldn’t win win this."

“It is a bummer for the participants especially, because I know a lot of kids participate," Val Royster said.

"So, we all have to suffer because of these people," one person posted on Wake Forest's Facebook page.

"Good job living in fear Wake Forest," another person posted.

"You just gave hate and division the win," posted a third person.

Some people supported the decision, however, and Jones promised it was a one-time move.

"This is the only time this will ever happen. We will be prepared [for protests] in the future," she said. "We will make sure we will have the procedures in place that we can take care of things like this."

Last week, Garner canceled its Christmas parade because organizers were similarly worried participation by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans would spark protests.