Don’t miss the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Bay City

BAY CITY – Since 1955 the St. Patrick’s Day parade has been a part of Bay City’s history. It has only grown in size and popularity since it began. The parade is a true celebration for the Irish and those who love the Irish.

The 68th annual Bay City St. Patrick’s parade kicks off on Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. and ends at approximately 4:30 p.m. The 1.7 mile route starts at Center and Park Avenues. Center Avenue will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jan Rau is the treasurer for the Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Association and shared some details about the parade. With 120 units in total, attendees will see three high school marching bands, two pipe bands, and a huge variety of floats with businesses showcasing their services or products.

Included in the line up will be the Bay City Schools theater department, different scout groups, sports teams, Bay City Light & Power, small local businesses, and many more.

Dress for the weather by wearing layers, as well as having winter gear such as hats and gloves. Porta Johns and trash barrels will be placed along the route on Center Avenue for those who need them. The parade is a free event and all are welcome.

Witness a flag raising ceremony prior to the parade on Sunday, March 19, at 10 a.m. in front of the Bay County Building located at 515 Center Avenue.

Interested in joining a church service with the Parade Marshall, Queens Court, and association members? Visit St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, St. John’s Church located at 614 Pine Street in Essexville on March 18 at 4 p.m to honor St. Patrick.

Celebrate 50 years of St. Patrick’s Days races in Bay City by coming out to watch this year’s races and stop in to the Fitness Expo. The Bay Area Runners Club has donated more than $240,000 from the races to local charities, non-profits, and high school athletic programs over the years.

Irish Americans enjoying themselves and celebrating their heritage.

Sadly, during this time, Irish immigrants were outsiders with their different religious beliefs and accents compared to the majority Protestant Americans at the time. After the parade newspapers would come out with the Irish being portrayed as drunk violent monkeys.

This did not stop the American Irish, as they soon realized that with their growing numbers, they had the political power to make a change. They started to rally together and form a voting bloc, known as the “green machine,” to show that they were not going anywhere. Eventually the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade became a show of strength and hope for the American Irish.

After seeing the first parade, big cities like Boston and New York City started to have annual parades. The growth of this holiday was skyrocketing.

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman came to the New York City celebration. This uplifted many Irish Americans’ spirits as a show of acceptance for the ancestors who went through a lot to find acceptance in the New World.

Chicago started its annual tradition of coloring the river green to show their support and celebration in 1962.

Somehow the religious feast of honoring Saint Patrick in Ireland turned into a partying celebration for Americans, which later was adapted by the people in Ireland. Ever since then, St. Patrick’s Day has been a big holiday for most people around the world. Have fun with this newfound knowledge on this day full of green, full of smiles and laughter.

The 2023 B.A.R.C Fitness Expo will be on Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bay City Central High School, located at 1624 Columbus Avenue.

On Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m. the races begin with the kids Leprechaun Races at the Bay City Central High School track. The 8K run will be on Sunday, March 19, at 9 a.m. at the corner of Center Avenue. The 5K run begins at 11 a.m. and the 5K walk at 11:10 a.m near the intersection of Adams Street and Center Avenue.