The Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade has been canceled this year because of an outbreak of equine herpesvirus affecting horses in multiple states, according to parade organizers.
Public health officials say the virus poses no risk to humans, but it can spread quickly between horses.
“EHV is a highly contagious virus among horses, and veterinarians and equine health experts recommend limiting travel and avoiding large gatherings of horses during active outbreaks,” according to a Tuesday news release from parade organizers.
Marty Kennedy, president of Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade Inc., said in the release that the health and safety of the horses and the community always come first.
“Canceling this year’s parade was an extremely difficult decision, but it is the responsible one,” Kennedy said in the release. “We are grateful to the participants, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators who bring this parade to life each year, and we are committed to coming back next year bigger and better than ever.”
The parade, which was set for Saturday, Dec. 6, would have been the 32nd annual event.
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