Two major holiday events in Flagler and Volusia counties were scrubbed on Thursday due to the incoming severe weather expected to impact the area. The Starlight Parade in Palm Coast and the Boat Parade in Daytona Beach are now both called off, though the latter at least has a planned make-up date.
The City of Palm Coast on Thursday announced the cancellation of the coming weekend's Starlight Parade, on account of incoming severe weather. The parade was scheduled to take place on Saturday in Town Center.
"This difficult decision has been made in collaboration with our public safety and emergency management partners considering the anticipated severe weather conditions that pose a risk to the safety of both participants and spectators," the city said in their announcement. "The safety of the community is always the top priority. Given the forecasted severe weather conditions, it is believed to be in the best interest of everyone involved to cancel the Starlight Parade."
The city also clarified that the event will not be made up at a later date, but will instead be called off entirely. The next running of the Starlight Parade is still expected to take place in December 2024, and so those who are disappointed in the scrubbing of this year's event will still have something to look forward to.
In addition to Palm Coast's Starlight Parade, Daytona Beach has also postponed its Christmas Boat Parade. Like its companion to the north, the Boat Parade was scheduled to take place this Saturday, at 6:00 pm.
Due to the severe weather bearing down on Volusia County, it will now be held on Friday, December 22nd, still at 6:00 pm. The parade will start at the Seabreeze Bridge and make its way to the Chart House near Marina Point Drive.
Those looking to attend the event next week are encouraged to view it from city parks on the water, plus certain restaurants in the area and behind the City of Daytona Library and courthouse.
