The annual illuminated Hinesville Christmas Parade, scheduled for tonight, has been canceled.

Liberty Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and CEO Leah Poole made the announcement on a Facebook post earlier Friday. The cancellation is the first for the parade in 23 years.

“We’ve been saying ‘rain or shine.’ And we absolutely meant ‘rain or shine,’” Poole said. “However, the forecast has shifted and we are looking at the potential for thunderstorms throughout the evening. We know how much this event means to our community but we feel safety really does have to come first.”

Poole also said marching bands, which are a feature of the parade, cannot play their instruments in the rain.

The parade, which is staged by the Chamber, was set to be the 29th annual illuminated Christmas Parade.