DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Delray Beach will not organize or pay for its St. Patrick’s Day Parade or its Pride festival in 2027, city officials announced Tuesday, saying a new Florida law limiting local government involvement in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts leaves them no legal room to hold either event.
The city posted the decision on its Facebook page. Officials said that after reviewing the law, they concluded the city cannot plan, fund or promote the two celebrations next year, because the statute restricts programs and activities built around ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. The city thanked the volunteers and partners who have supported the events and said it remains committed to serving all residents within state and federal law.
The parade each March and the festival each June have long pulled thousands of people into the downtown area and its businesses.
The measure behind the decision is Senate Bill 1134. It cleared both chambers of the Republican-led Legislature on mostly party-line votes, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it in April. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Under the law, Florida counties and cities may not directly or indirectly fund or promote DEI initiatives, or adopt ordinances, resolutions, policies or programs tied to them. It also bars local governments from hosting or officially promoting events that celebrate heritage, culture or ethnicity. Holidays set by federal law, such as Juneteenth, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, are exempt.
Mayor Tom Carney wrote on Facebook that the bill sharply limits what cities may spend on community events. He said the city is working with several outside groups to keep the 2027 St. Patrick’s Day parade on its scheduled date.
Section: More Washington DC politics news
Filed under: Washington DC Politics News
