Special to Iredell Free News
In light of the inclement weather forecasted for Sunday afternoon, organizers of the 2023 Statesville Christmas Parade have decided to cancel this year’s event.
Anticipated heavy rains, high winds, and the potential for thunderstorms led to the decision, Parade Director John Campbell said in a news release.
The safety of parade participants and the public are the Parade Committee’s priority.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all participants for their unwavering support, and we understand the disappointment this news may bring,” organizers said. “Unfortunately, due to the complex logistics involved in orchestrating the parade, it will not be rescheduled this year.”
“While we share in the community’s disappointment, we look ahead with optimism to next year’s parade. We anticipate an even more spectacular event and cannot wait to welcome you all back for a joyous celebration of the holiday season.”
What a dud city!
Better safe than sorry. Let’s reschedule.
Sorry to hear this news. My husband and I just moved here, and we were looking forward to supporting and enjoying this event. Wish there was an alternate plan when Mother Nature takes over. Looking forward to next year.
Most event staff schedule a rain date! What is this?? Cancel and think about next year?? Nope, not the way to go. I just moved here with my husband also.
Wished it could be scheduled for the following weekend ❣️
While this is disappointing news, it is a sound decision. As far as rescheduling, it sounds simple enough, but as with any large event such as this there are hours of planning and scheduling involved. We can all be disappointed while counting our blessings that citizens safety has been the best consideration. Christmas will still be memorable if we consider the reason for the season.
I have lived here all my life and this city gets worse and worse. Yes it takes time to reschedule something but all you have to do is contact the businesses and let them know that the date has changed for the 17th. First the drive-in movie theater closed, then the skating rink, the the mall, Sonic, and the movie theater. Then they wonder why kids stay in trouble. Our crime rate is so high & seems like our beloved mayor isn’t doing anything to change the situation. The best mayor we had was Johnny Marshall. Under his watch we were a much much better city. I love our Mayor. He is a very good man and person but shanking hands and kissing babies doesn’t always get it. Meanwhile our taxes gets higher and higher and we still have nothing to show for it. No new restaurants. Really, they close five stores and will open a smoke shop out of one. The best thing about Downtown is the full-service gas station 🚉⛽ that’s still there. There needs to be one in every section of the city by the mall by Walmart, Front Street, and stay open until 11 p.m. These little things will cause this town to be a better place.
I have lived here all my life. If all the outsiders would go back where they came from it would help, and if Iredell County would quit trying to be like Charlotte, it would help Iredell. I was in the Walmart the other day and it is not my home no more. Who are these people? I miss the mall too. Taxes here are high, the roads are bad. The rich people get richer, and the government gets richer.