By Pam Nicholls, GSAC Board Member
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New and higher security costs introduced by the City had threatened the survival of Naples’ traditional St Patrick’s Day Parade until “an extraordinary and emotional turn of events.”
That’s how Kim Heaslip, the parade’s president phrased it on Facebook just days after announcing the cancellation of the parade on January 21.
“Following our difficult announcement earlier this week, the Naples community responded with an outpouring of passion, generosity, and unwavering support,” she posted on January 23.
Thanks to residents, especially former council member Gary Price and businessman David Hoffmann, enough funds have been raised to meet the increased costs of security to save the 50th St Patrick’s Day Parade which will go ahead as scheduled on March 14 at 11am.
According to a Naples Daily News report, City fees have grown from under $4,000 a decade ago to $25,000 today. NPD are not using police vehicles as barricades either anymore, so event organizers are now charged a fee for barricades which was less than $5000 in 2025 but has grown to $42,000 in 2026.
You can read the Naples Daily News story here.
