HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) -- The 17th Annual Horseheads St. Patrick's Day Parade will return to the Southern Tier after being canceled twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally scheduled for March 12, the parade will now take place on March 19 due to Saturday's impending storm. After already being canceled the previous two years, Horseheads Fire Chief Art Sullivan said the committee was determined to keep the tradition alive for 2022.

"When we said we were going to have the parade, we [saw] so much joy in people," he said. "They wanted a parade...wanted to get out...wanted to continue a life as normal. Everyone we contacted said, 'Yes, we will be there.'" 

Chief Sullivan additionally said this year's parade will be dedicated to local first responders who worked hard to protect citizens throughout the course of the pandemic.

"That includes everyone [who helped] during the COVID-19 [pandemic]...anyone who really helped the community survive the shutdowns," said Chief Sullivan. "So, we wanted to dedicate the whole parade to them."

The parade was originally set to be followed by the "Traditional Corned Beef or Ham and Cabbage Dinner." Instead of being postponed along with the parade, the dinner will go on as planned for Saturday.

It will begin at 2:00 p.m. and take place at the Horseheads Fire Station, located at 134 North Main St. Visitors will have both the options of dining in or getting takeout.