OFF. NOW, THANKFULLY, DEPUTIES TELL US THAT NO ONE WAS HURT. >> I JUST THINK IT’S AN EXCITING EVENT FOR FOR FOR NAPLES. >> THOUSANDS FILLED INTO DOWNTOWN NAPLES FOR THE SAINT PATTY’S DAY PARADE. TODAY. THE PARADE WAS ACTUALLY CANCELED ORIGINALLY. THAT’S UNTIL THE COMMUNITY STEPPED IN TO HELP GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER NATASHA BECAUSE SAW WAS THAT HAD THE BEST ASSIGNMENT OF THE DAY AND SHE’S SHOWING US WHAT MAKES THIS PARADE SO SPECIAL. >> DOWNTOWN NAPLES TURNED INTO A SEA OF GREEN TODAY AS NEARLY 40,000 PEOPLE LINED THE STREETS FOR THE 50TH ANNUAL SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE. FAMILY SET UP BEACH CHAIRS ALONG THE ROUTE WHILE OTHER SHOWED UP DECKED OUT IN THEIR BEST GREEN YEAR TO SHARE THAN ME TO WRITE. >> AND GET. >> FOR MANY IN NAPLES, THE SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE IS THE BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR EARLIER THIS YEAR. ITS FUTURE WAS IN DOUBT WITH RISING SECURITY COST THREATENING THE EVENT. BUT THROUGH DONATIONS, THE COMMUNITY RALLIED TOGETHER TO KEEP THE PARADE MARCHING HEARD THE PARADE WAS INITIALLY CANCELED AND THEN, >> YOU KNOW, CAME BACK. SO WE’RE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT ALL THE HUBBUB IS ABOUT, WHAT THEIR FIRST TIME AND LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. SO GOOD THING FOR THE KIDS TO FAMILIES TO THE PARADES, REPUTATION EVEN DREW VISITORS FROM OUT OF TOWN. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME I HEARD NAPLES HAVE ONE OF THE BEST PARADE. SO WE CAME OVER WHERE OVER VERO BEACH AND WE CAME OVER HERE TO SEE IT AND CHECK IT OUT WITH OUR FRIENDS FOR PHILIP MCCABE. THE PARADE BRINGS BACK MEMORIES THAT SPANS GENERATIONS. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A CHILD. >> AND IT WAS IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING EVENTS OF THE YEAR. SO I MEAN, I THINK FAMILIES LOVE TO COME OUT AND AND LISTEN TO THE BAGPIPES AND, YOU KNOW, SEE BANDS. AND I MEAN, I JUST THINK IT’S AN EXCITING EVENT FOR FROM FOR NAPLES, WITH THOUSANDS TURNING OUT FOR THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY, TODAY’S PARADE PROVE THE CITY’S IRISH SPIRIT
Naples celebrates 50th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade with thousands in attendance
Updated: 6:45 PM EDT Mar 14, 2026
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Nearly 40,000 people gathered in downtown Naples Saturday for the 50th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, an event that was saved by community donations after facing cancellation due to rising security costs.Families set up beach chairs along the parade route, while others arrived dressed in their best green attire. “To show everybody to like, how to look good,” said Mia Goodman from Naples.For many residents, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the biggest event of the year. Earlier this year, its future was in doubt, but the community rallied together to keep the parade marching on.”We heard the parade was initially canceled and then, you know, it came back,” said Ally Goodman, from Naples. “So we were excited to see what all the hubbub is about. So it’s our first time, and we’re just looking forward to it. So good thing for the kids to do and fun family stuff.”The parade’s reputation even drew visitors from out of town.”This is my first time I heard Naples has one of the best parades, so we came over,” said Mary Bradley, from Vero Beach. “We’re over in Vero Beach, and we came over here to see it and check it out with our friends.”For Phillip McCabe, a local business owner, the parade brings back beautiful memories that span generations. “I remember it when I was a child, and it was one of the most exciting events of the year,” McCabe said. “So, I mean, I think families love to come out and listen to the bagpipes and, you know, see bands. And I mean, I just think it’s an exciting event for Naples.”With thousands turning out for the golden anniversary, Saturday’s parade proved the city’s Irish spirit is still going strong.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
Nearly 40,000 people gathered in downtown Naples Saturday for the 50th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, an event that was saved by community donations after facing cancellation due to rising security costs.
Families set up beach chairs along the parade route, while others arrived dressed in their best green attire. “To show everybody to like, how to look good,” said Mia Goodman from Naples.
For many residents, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the biggest event of the year. Earlier this year, its future was in doubt, but the community rallied together to keep the parade marching on.
“We heard the parade was initially canceled and then, you know, it came back,” said Ally Goodman, from Naples. “So we were excited to see what all the hubbub is about. So it’s our first time, and we’re just looking forward to it. So good thing for the kids to do and fun family stuff.”
The parade’s reputation even drew visitors from out of town.
“This is my first time I heard Naples has one of the best parades, so we came over,” said Mary Bradley, from Vero Beach. “We’re over in Vero Beach, and we came over here to see it and check it out with our friends.”
For Phillip McCabe, a local business owner, the parade brings back beautiful memories that span generations. “I remember it when I was a child, and it was one of the most exciting events of the year,” McCabe said. “So, I mean, I think families love to come out and listen to the bagpipes and, you know, see bands. And I mean, I just think it’s an exciting event for Naples.”
With thousands turning out for the golden anniversary, Saturday’s parade proved the city’s Irish spirit is still going strong.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
