Delray Beach has canceled its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade after a new Florida law targeting government-funded diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives took effect, prompting angry reactions from residents.
City officials said the legislation will prevent Delray Beach from organizing either the popular St. Patrick’s Day Parade or its Pride event in 2027.
The decision comes weeks before Senate Bill 1134 is set to take effect statewide on Jan. 1.
The law, approved by both chambers of the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April, bars county and municipal governments from “funding or promoting or taking official action as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
It also places restrictions on local events that celebrate heritage or ethnicity.
Under the state constitution, Florida officials who violate the law could be accused of misfeasance or malfeasance in office and face suspension, administrative discipline or removal by the governor.
“Following a review of the legislation and its requirements, the City has determined that it is legally prohibited from organizing, funding, or promoting these events in 2027,” city officials said in a statement Tuesday.
“These restrictions include certain programming and activities designed or implemented with reference to ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”
The announcement drew sharp criticism from Delray Beach residents, who questioned the rationale for canceling the events and warned of possible damage to local businesses.
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“Disappointed? Ridiculous. You know, it’s just — are they going to cancel the Christmas parade as well? So, there’s a lot of issues going on here and it’s weird,” resident Randy Biro told WPBF.
Police volunteer Kenny Moskowitz said the parade typically attracts tens of thousands of visitors during the busy season. “It’ll bring business to the avenue. And it’s good and it’s fun. And it’ll probably bring, I guess, 50,000 to 60,000 people here,” he told the outlet. “It’s ridiculous. Why would they cancel it? It’s just beyond anything we can imagine.”
Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney echoed residents’ frustration but said the city’s options were limited by the new state law.
“The St. Patrick’s Day Parade isn’t just another parade. It’s ingrained in the DNA of the Delray Beach community,” Carney wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
Carney said the city is working “feverishly” with several organizations to find a way to preserve the parade, although he did not disclose specific plans.
“For those who live, work & play in Delray, we want the Delray Beach St. Patrick’s Day parade to stay!” he added.
The mayor also suggested that other city-sponsored events could be affected by the legislation.
“This bill puts severe restrictions on how cities can pay for community events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade along with potentially other city-sponsored events,” he said.
SB 1134 does not bar municipalities from celebrating holidays recognized under federal law, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
