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Dublin Parade Cancelled Due to Coronavirus, Holly Marching Band to Stay Home
(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 10, 2020)
Holly, MI- Holly Area Schools Superintendent Scott Roper has announced that the trip to Ireland is cancelled for members of the Holly Bronchoes Marching Band. The band had been scheduled to play in the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day parade.  The cancellation comes amid concerns over the Coronavirus.
“It is very disappointing for our students who have worked very hard for this once in a lifetime experience,” Roeper wrote in a letter to students and parents.  According to the letter, the Irish Minister for Health, Simon Harris, stated “The coronavirus situation was very serious.”
And, the Dublin City Council stated “public welfare was paramount and cancellation was the correct decision.”
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and March 17 is celebrated worldwide. The parade in Dublin attracted 500,000 people last year according to BBC News.
Roeper said the district was working with the tour company, WorldStrides, “to discuss how they will be handling Ireland officials’ cancellation of the trip…The district is strongly advocating for a full refund for all travelers on this trip.  WorldStrides representatives expressed that they desire providing a full refund and will work towards this resolution.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.