The Norfolk city manager apologized to residents who may have been ticketed for claiming parking spots ahead of Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ocean View.
In a statement, Chip Filer said staff “mistakenly ticketed cars” that were parked in medians along the parade route. Residents who reserved their spots returned to their cars to find $50 tickets, prompting angry posts to social media.
“I apologize to those that were ticketed over this matter. Rest assured we will correct this error,” Filer’s statement read. “Please hang onto your ticket and we will provide further instruction on next steps in the near future.”
Filer said staff was “a bit rusty” when it came to remembering the parade’s annual traditions. This year marks the long-awaited return of the event since it was called off due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Organizers canceled last year’s celebration because of bad weather.
The parade begins at Northside Middle School at 10 a.m. and heads north along Granby Street, takes a left onto A View Avenue and ends at the Columbian Club of Ocean View at 211 W. Government Ave. at noon.
Norfolk police will close Granby Street from Bayview Boulevard to Bay Street beginning at 7:30 a.m., and the remaining portions of the parade route will shut down around 9:15 a.m. All roads will reopen by 1 p.m.
Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
