For the first time in the parade’s 42-year history, Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services canceled the annual FM 1960 St. Patrick’s Day Parade amid coronavirus concerns. The annual event was originally scheduled to take place March 15 at 2 p.m.

The Cypress Creek EMS posted the following on the 1960 Parade page on March 13:

“Due to the ongoing public health concern surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the leadership of Cypress Creek EMS has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s FM 1960 St. Patrick’s Parade. This is the first time in the 42-year history of the parade that it has not proceeded as planned. We have considered the facts and heard from many people on both sides of this issue. As a healthcare organization, we decided, in the end, to err on the side of caution.”

As the event has been canceled, FM 1960 will no longer be closed to traffic for the parade route, which would have run between Paradise Valley Drive and Kuykendahl Road. For more information, visit www.1960parade.com.