Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saved After Donors Raise $46,000 for Security Barricades

The Naples St. Patrick's Day Parade will happen on March 14. Donors pitched in $46,000 to pay for security barricades. The Naples St. Patrick's Foundation had voted on Jan. 22 to cancel everything after city leaders declined to waive fees for required safety equipment.

Gary Price used to serve on the City Council. He spearheaded the fundraising push after his wife urged him to act. Four to five donors answered his calls. They committed at least $43,000 within one afternoon.

"Our son, Garrett, passed away a couple years ago, and of all the things that we did, the St Patrick's Day parade was his most favorite thing," Price said, according to WINK News. "And he passed away just almost two years ago, just actually a week before the parade two years ago. So it's meaningful to our family."

Price added that the event holds importance for many in town. "I know how important it is to other families, and I felt like this is something that we need to fix," he said.

More than 40,000 people flood downtown as participants or spectators. The procession features between 110 and 120 units and 12 to 14 marching bands, which makes it the largest parade in the city.

Homeland Security officials urged the new barricade requirements after reviewing security measures for public gatherings. The fees sparked worry among several event organizers in town.

Kim Heaslip serves as president of the foundation's organizing board. She said the community responded with an outpouring of support. The group met on Jan. 23 and reversed its cancellation decision.

Council member Beth Petrunoff views the outcome as a partnership between the city and residents. "We have the security, we're not raiding any taxpayer money, and the community stepped up to have an event everyone loves," Petrunoff said, according to Gulf Shore Business.