Boston officials cancel parades, festivals until at least Labor Day due to COVID-19 pandemic

BOSTON — It's going to be at least 123 days before the city of Boston hosts another parade or festival.

Mayor Walsh announced Friday parades and festivals will not take place in the City of Boston this summer, up to and including Labor Day on September 7, 2020.

"While we're planning a healthy reopening and an equitable recovery process, I know this announcement will be disappointing to many residents and organizations that look forward to these events each year," said Mayor Walsh. "This is a hard public health decision, but it's the right one. I encourage people to rethink their events, and thank them for their work to inspire us, and help our communities get through this difficult time."

The City of Boston has made the decision to continue to suspend events that bring crowds together in close contact, like a road race, concert, or flag raising. No event should be planned that would involve more than 10 people gathering or that could draw a crowd of any size. He says he will look at smaller events on a case by case basis.

“How do you deal with those shoulder to shoulder massive events? They are the opposite of what we’ve been giving the last few months as of guidance,” said Gov. Charlie Baker.

Baker says he’s not ready to issue a statewide suspension like Mayor Walsh did for the city but agrees large events don’t make much sense right now and we will have to be creative both now and in the future to make celebrations happen.

“People are constantly coming up with creative ways to celebrate things,” said Baker. “That’s and the way it’s going to be for the time being.”

The City of Boston encourages organizers to host events through virtual means, such as the 24th Annual 2020 Mother’s Day Walk for Peace, which has transitioned into a virtual walk-a-thon. The Boston Symphony Orchestra will not be holding a live performance of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4. Instead it will present, on television and online, a Boston Pops “Salute to Our Heroes” in honor of front-line workers and all those who have lost their lives to the health crisis. City of Boston events that will move to a virtual option include the Donna Summer Disco and Gospelfest.

Mayor Walsh say the reason he made the announcement now is because he was starting to get a lot of requests for events this summer and he wanted to put it out now to give people as much notice as possible to be as creative as possible.

Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts

>> Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here

RESOURCES:

- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information

- Boston Coronavirus Information

- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Watch Boston 25 NOW

- Download our free apps for your phone and smart TV