Donors revive Naples parade as city weighs security costs

After a two-day flurry of deliberations, Naples’ traditional St. Patrick’s Day Parade will march down Fifth Avenue on March 14, and the city of Naples will consider alternatives to rising security charges that nearly forced its cancellation. 

The parade is not the first local event to face closure over escalating costs. One organization has moved its event, and another canceled its festival altogether. But the near loss of the city’s largest parade appears to have sparked broader discussion between city officials and nonprofit groups that organize annual public events. 

The Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade draws more than 40,000 participants and spectators downtown, features 110 to 120 parade units and includes 12 to 14 marching bands. 

Concern over losing the event prompted former City Council member Gary Price to launch a fundraising effort to cover $43,000 in new barricade fees required for security along the parade route. Price secured donor commitments within one afternoon. 

The Naples St. Patrick’s Foundation, which organizes the parade, then met Jan.23 and reversed its decision to cancel the event. 

“In an extraordinary and emotional turn of events, the 50th annual Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade will go on,” said Kim Heaslip, president of the parade’s organizing board. “Following our difficult announcement earlier this week, the Naples community responded with an outpouring of passion, generosity and unwavering support for one of the city’s most cherished institutions.” 

She added, “We are truly overwhelmed with gratitude.” 

Later Jan. 23, the city of Naples issued a statement signaling it would explore options to reduce long-term security costs. 

“The city manager and staff are preparing a comprehensive discussion for a March City Council meeting regarding special event security, including whether purchasing barricades would be more cost-effective and beneficial for the community over time. Due to application timelines, meeting schedules and event dates, a decision on acquiring barricades could not occur prior to the approval of recent special events,” the statement reads. 

“This upcoming Council discussion may lead to the city acquiring barricades for use at both city-organized and noncity-sponsored events, providing consistent security while reducing the overall financial impact on event organizers.” 

Police department response 

Naples Police Department also issued a three-page statement explaining its push for enhanced security requirements. The release included photos showing the proximity of spectators to parade participants at the city’s 2024 Christmas parade compared with the increased separation after barricades were installed in 2025. 

“We, the Naples Police Department, take due notice that within Naples’ ‘small-town charm’ there is a very real and rapidly changing threat landscape in America,” the statement said in part. “Over the past decade, the United States has experienced a surge in high-profile violent incidents, revealing the evolving challenges facing local governments and police departments (specific to open public events). 

“These incidents, ranging from targeted attacks on individuals to mass shootings and ideologically driven violence, highlight systemic vulnerabilities which demand innovative strategies to mitigate risks; and courageous decisions to adjust/adapt to the real-world threats in the face of pushbacks.” 

The statement added: “The phrases ‘we have always done it this way’ or ‘this is Naples, nothing ever happens’ or ‘security is too much/cost’ are not real strategies and ultimately leave attendees vulnerable.” 

Police officials said they hope to see permanent or semipermanent safety installations at major event sites. 

“We are hopeful for a future that has the public safety infrastructure we speak of in place, the installation of bollards/safety systems in areas that host open-air events, on a more permanent basis.” 

Permanent or semipermanent bollards at Cambier Park, where many city events take place, are expected to be discussed during a March 16 City Council workshop. Vehicle-proof barriers for moving events, such as parades, will also be part of the agenda. 

Outgoing council member Beth Petrunoff suggested investing in bollards and spreading the cost among event organizers over time. 

“Normally, what happens in cities is they get sponsors or they collect additional fees from participants,” she said. “But the one thing we’re not going to do ... is make things less safe.” 

Petrunoff said she sees the parade outcome as an example of successful community partnership. 

“We have the security, we’re not raiding any taxpayer money, and the community stepped up to have an event everyone loves,” she said. 

“It’s not our money. It’s the taxpayers’ money, and our taxpayers sort of set our priorities. And we’ve got other priorities in front there.” 

Among those priorities is stormwater and surge resiliency following major flooding during Hurricane Ian in 2022. The city is facing a potential $2 billion investment to improve protections, a topic Council plans to study this spring. 

Concerns for fundraisers, heritage 

The St. Patrick’s Day parade traditionally raises money for local nonprofits, including STARability, PACE Center for Girls and The Education Foundation. Each marching band also receives $2,000 for its program. Donations can be made at naplesparade.com. 

Other organizations that depend on public events in Naples are also raising concerns about rising security fees. 

• Empty Bowls, held at Cambier Park for nearly 20 years, raises money for hunger-relief organizations in Collier and Lee counties. The event draws more than 1,000 attendees and features soups from 45 to 50 restaurants, clubs and institutions. Organizer Betsy Dawson said the group may need to relocate due to rising security costs. 

• Naples Pride appeared before Council Jan. 21 seeking approval for Pride Fest. The organization objected to being classified as high risk, which increased its security fees from $15,520 to $30,600, a 97% hike. It also was told that returning its drag show to Cambier Park would cost an additional $10,000 for security. 

Pride Fest supports counseling services, a community space and neighborhood aid efforts, including post-Hurricane Ian relief. Naples Pride operates a public food pantry and supplies closet. 

The organization has filed a lawsuit against the city regarding restrictions requiring the drag show to be held indoors and limited to ages 18 and older. It received its permit for this year under those same conditions. 

• India Fest, a celebration of Indian culture, announced Dec. 12 it was canceling its annual festival at Cambier Park due to rising costs. 

“India Fest has always been our community’s most vital and vibrant cultural celebration,” its statement said. “Unfortunately, new mandatory security regulations introduced by the city of Naples, following recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security, have created a sudden and unsustainable rise in costs.” 

The board said it hopes permanent security installations could allow the festival to return in 2027.