Florida
Organizers cancel St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Naples, citing high costs
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a cherished tradition in Naples.
This year would have marked the event’s golden anniversary, signifying 50 years of existence in the city.
However, the event has been canceled, due to rising costs — including the higher costs charged by the city.
49th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Naples
49th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Naples
Kim Heaslip, president of the Naples St. Patrick Foundation Inc., which puts on the event, said: “It is with deep regret and sincere disappointment that we announce we are no longer able to present the Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the streets of downtown Naples.”
The decision came after city council unanimously denied a request to waive city fees for the event on Jan. 21.
At the meeting, Heaslip asked for council’s help in saving the parade.
The city’s fees for the event came in at more than $20,700 in 2024, and those fees continued to rise, along with other costs.
“We were enthusiastically preparing to celebrate the 50th Annual Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade when we were recently informed that municipal fees imposed by the City of Naples — combined with newly required full-route barricade and enforcement costs — have increased to a level that our small, volunteer-led organization can no longer sustain,” Heaslip said. “City fees have grown from under $4,000 10 years ago to $25,000. Last year, our barricade fee was under $5,000 and would have increased to $42,000 in 2026.”
At the council meeting, she warned that the event might have to be canceled, if the city didn’t lower its costs.
“We insure the city streets for the day,” Heaslip said. “We provide the porta potties. We pay waste management and countless other expenses without the city’s assistance.”
She explained how the event is supported by a small group of dedicated volunteers.
“No one receives compensation, and we do not charge the public to attend or enjoy the event,” she said.
She emphasized how every marching band that participates in the parade receives a $2,000 grant to support their school’s music programs, and how the Naples St. Patrick Foundation helps other nonprofits, including STARability, which supports children and adults with disabilities across Southwest Florida.
“This is not a private enterprise,” Heaslip told city council. “It’s a celebration for all residents and visitors, uniting families across generations. We are a safe, well managed event. The parade has never been associated with disturbances or unruly behavior.”
During council discussions, Vice Mayor Terry Hutchison said he enjoyed the parade, offering him the chance to “dress up and look ridiculous” and smile, but he couldn’t justify the request to waive city fees.
“That is problematic in a lot of different ways,” he said. “And, unfortunately, I can’t support it.”
Councilman Bill Kramer said that while he, too, loved the parade, safety had to come first, and the city already sponsors enough events, including the Christmas, Fourth of July and Martin Luther King Jr. parades.
“We got to get our events right,” he said. “We have too many events.”
Councilman Berne Barton said that while the parade is “fantastic,” he couldn’t see the justification for waiving the fees, either. He argued it could set a bad precedent, leading other event organizers to demand the same, as they’ve also seen their costs rise, due to the city’s new security requirements.
Barton suggested that with some effort, the parade’s volunteers could probably find others willing to step up financially to help ensure the event continues, including corporate sponsors.
Following the brief discussion, Barton motioned to approve the event for this year, but not to waive the city’s fees. Hutchison seconded.
After the motion passed unanimously, Heaslip said the difficult decision was made to cancel the parade this year — and to longer have it.
“For decades, we have proudly and energetically raised funds to fulfill our mission and to present what has become one of Naples’ premier winter events. We are deeply grateful to the countless sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community members who have made this possible year after year. However, we cannot, in good conscience, continue fundraising efforts to cover municipal and barricade enforcement costs required by the city,” Heaslip said.
The mission of the parade has been to:
• Support high school music programs and other youth initiatives
• Provide college scholarships to deserving students
• Promote awareness and appreciation of Irish culture
Over nearly five decades, Heaslip said she’s proud of the event’s cultural, educational and economic impacts on the Naples community.
Laura Layden is business and government reporter. Reach her at laura.layden@naplesnews.com.
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
Do you have an opinion about this local topic? Write a letter to the editor (up to 150 words) or a guest opinion (up to 600 words) and email it to letters@naplesnews.com or mailbag@news-press.com.
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)— A Florida mental health counselor walked into a surprising number of bats inside her office last week.
“We had about 50 bats. In the toilet, in the sink. All over,” Shaltala Boss, a licensed mental health counselor, said.
Boss has since moved her office due to maternity season, when it is illegal to exclude or remove bats from April 16 to August 14, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“Any form of eviction during this time period will result in baby bats being trapped along with adult bats that may not have emerged. Trapped bats will attempt to escape and may end up in the living space of buildings,” FWC said.
Video provided by Boss showed a bat lying on the ground.
“You definitely didn’t want to come to counseling that day,” Boss said.
Boss has since moved to another location and said it is bat-free.
“Most bats will avoid humans at all costs and use natural roosting structures for shelter during the day. However, bats sometimes find their way into our homes and structures, which can present a health hazard,” FWC said.
Republican Congressman Byron Donalds is trailing Democratic candidate David Jolly in the race to become Florida’s next governor, according to a new poll from Change Research, a Democratic-aligned polling firm.
The survey could be an encouraging sign for Florida Democrats, who have not won a statewide election since 2018 and have struggled as the state shifted steadily toward Republicans in recent election cycles.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is term-limited and cannot seek reelection in 2026, won a second term by nearly 20 percentage points in 2022, while Republicans have expanded their voter registration advantage and maintained control of every statewide elected office.
Still, some recent polling has suggested the push to replace DeSantis could be a bit more competitive than many have expected.
President Donald Trump last month again vocalized his support for Donalds, saying in part, “I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!” The president added, “Byron Donalds will be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
Trump won the Sunshine State by 13 points in 2024 against then-Vice President Kamala Harris and no Democrat has won the Florida governorship in more than 20 years.
When reached for comment regarding the new poll, Donalds’ campaign referred Newsweek to the X post of Gates McGavick, the team’s communications director. McGavick said in reaction to the poll, “I hear Change Research also sells tremendous ocean front property in Arizona.”
The campaign also referred Newsweek to Ryan Smith’s post on X, while saying he is also affiliated with the campaign. Smith said, “This is a push poll by Democrats for Democrats. The truth is, Florida Democrats will be crying in their kombucha on November 3 when @ByronDonalds is elected governor.”
What To Know
The Change Research survey found Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched parties and entered the race as a Democrat, leading Donalds in a hypothetical general-election matchup.
Jolly has centered his campaign on affordability issues surrounding insurance costs, housing and healthcare, while Donalds has campaigned as a conservative successor who will attempt to enact Trump’s agenda and fight illegal immigration.
According to the poll, Jolly leads Donalds 47 percent to 42 percent and has a slightly larger margin among likely voters with 49 percent compared to 43 percent.
The poll surveyed 1,273 registered voters of which 1,015 said they will likely vote in the 2026 midterm election. The survey’s margin of error is 2.8 percent.
Also in the poll, Jolly garners 94 percent support from Democrats compared to Donalds’ 77 percent among Republicans.
What Other Polls Show
Another recent Change Research poll shows Jolly leading Donalds 46 percent to 42 percent. The poll was taken from May 13 to May 16 among 2,070 registered voters, of whom 1,593 say they will likely vote in the midterm election. The poll has a margin of error of 2.3 percent.
In a survey at the end of March by Emerson College Polling, Donalds landed 44 percent of the vote compared to Jolly’s 39 percent. The poll shows that 17 percent are undecided. It was taken from March 29 to March 31 among 1,125 likely voters and has a margin of error of 2.8 percent.
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A recent viral trend — dubbed the “Door Kick Challenge” — has been causing issues as of late in Central Florida.
The challenge involves teens covering their faces, kicking or pounding stranger’s front door when it’s dark outside, and sprinting off into the night.
[WATCH: FCSO releases footage of ‘Door Kick Challenge’ in action]
But on Wednesday, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly warned there could be deadly consequences.
According to the sheriff’s office, these pranks may come across as an attempted home invasion for some, and with Florida being a “Stand Your Ground” state, neighbors have the right to treat it as such.
[ Central Florida deputy consoles 12-year-old accused in door-kicking incident]
“Parents, keep an eye on your children. We know they want to have fun, but they are taking huge risks when they mask up and kick strangers’ doors,” Staly said. “Be the sheriff of your own home, talk to your kids, know their friends, and make sure they know the risks associated with doing what the internet tells them to do.”
But in a release, the sheriff’s office delivered the message in a “language” that teens may better understand:
“This door kick ‘challenge’ is not the side quest you think it is.
It’s trendslop, pure brain rot straight off the FYP. You think you’re the alpha chad of the cul-de-sac? Nah bruh, you’re one hoodie masked-up sprint away from priors. The kind of rap that gets you cancelled before you ever stack any clout. Zero drip in our jail’s barbershop-looking mugshots.
Okay, real talk. Florida is a Stand Your Ground state. A NPC wakes up to two randos kicking their door at 1 a.m. wearing sheisties — they don’t see a flex, they get the ick, and think your side quest is a home invasion. And no cap, you’ll get capped.
Taking an L on TikTok? Recoverable. Taking a round to the chest? There’s no respawn.
So skip this one, chief. Find clout elsewhere.”
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
-
Louisiana6 seconds agoGov. Landry declares state of emergency after flooding, severe weather across Louisiana
-
Maine3 minutes agoImportant things to know about the Maine boys lacrosse state finals
-
Maryland8 minutes agoUniversity of Maryland football player arrested for harassment
-
Michigan15 minutes agoMichigan Department of Corrections to launch L.E.A.D. Academy program this fall
-
Massachusetts18 minutes agoTwo men indicted for Hinsdale robbery after ‘cigarette trail’ leads through Vermont, Massachusetts
-
Minnesota23 minutes agoMinnesota cannabis store owners lament testing backlog: “It’s getting frustrating for everyone involved”
-
Mississippi30 minutes agoMississippi veterans urged to seek PTSD help during Awareness Month
-
Missouri33 minutes agoMissouri judge strikes down nearly all state abortion regulations
