Delray Beach, Florida Cancels Its 2027 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Pride Events: City Says a New State Law Bars It From Organizing or Funding Them
Delray Beach, Florida — Delray Beach will not host its annual St. Patrick Day Parade or Pride events in 2027, the city announced in a Facebook posting on Tuesday, November 10. The city cited a new state law that restricts how local governments can spend money on activities that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
The law and the city determination
Reporting said the new state law, which takes effect on January 1, limits what cities, towns and villages can spend to create and promote activities defined under the legislation as diversity, equity and inclusion activities. The restrictions include certain programming and activities that refer to ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
City officials said in their prepared statement that they had reviewed the legislation and determined that Delray Beach is legally prohibited from organizing, funding or promoting these events in 2027.
City statement and background
The city statement said the annual events have provided opportunities for members of the community to gather, celebrate and connect, and thanked the residents, participants, volunteers and community partners who have contributed over the years. It said the city remains committed to serving all residents and providing opportunities for community engagement consistent with applicable state and federal laws.
Reporting said the parade and the festival have long drawn large crowds to the downtown area in March and June respectively. The St. Patrick Day Parade dates to 1968, and its route runs about a mile along West Atlantic Avenue. The 2025 Pride event took place on June 14 at Old School Square and featured live music.
It was not immediately known whether a private group would take over the sponsorship and promotion of either event, reporting said.
(Source: City of Delray Beach)
Source: City of Delray Beach
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：佛罗里达州 Delray Beach 的 Atlantic Avenue 大桥，圣帕特里克节游行路线沿这条大道行进。照片：CC BY-SA 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The Atlantic Avenue bridge in Delray Beach, Florida; the St. Patrick’s Day parade route runs along the avenue. CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
