The 66th Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 2022

NEWS RELEASE – FEBRUARY 9, 2021

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE CANCELLED FOR 2021

In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and its new variants, and in keeping with the recommendations from the CDC, St. Patrick’s Day parade organizers will wait one more year before having a parade on Center Avenue announced Tom Newsham, Parade Association President. “We are very mindful of keeping everyone safe,” Newsham said. “People come from all over, not just Bay City, to watch the parade. Some families have reunions on parade day and family members travel across the United States and even from Canada to come “home” to Bay City.” According to Jan Rau, Parade Association Treasurer, the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was hosted on March 17, 1955 on a weekday with a route that spanned from Center to Monroe, ending at City Hall. More than 10,000 people attended the first Bay City parade and 40 different organizations and groups marched in it. The parade has since grown over the past 66 years into a widely attended event from visitors across the state. The parade participants have also increased. Before it was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, there were over 120 entries registered for the 2020 parade. Celebrating our Irish heritage will continue in Bay City! We will carry on the tradition in 2022! The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Association wants to send a message of peace, hope, and goodwill to all!

Thank you for your support of the Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Parade Marshal, Donald Carlyon

St. Patrick’s Day Queen and Princess and Court:

Queen: Grace Sayles
1^st Runner Up: Hannah Schnell
2^nd Runner Up: Caytie Miller

Princess: Isabella Busch
1^st Runner Up: Madalyn Skrzypczak

Please join us, it’s never too
early to start planning your float.

Click on this link for the parade application.

Show your support for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, order your yard sign today.

(This is an example of a Business Yard Sign.) Click on this link for the yard sign application. Any questions, please contact s2600z@yahoo.com.

Another way to support the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is to purchase an ad in the parade book.

Click on this link for the parade book ad application.

We hope you and yours have a
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Slainte!

Questions? Click here to contact us.

Sponsorships

Emerald Sponsor – Consumers Energy

Thank you Consumers Energy for your generous donation to the 2021 St. Patrick’s Day Parade! We are truly grateful for your commitment to the parade and festivities year after year. We can Count on You!

Shamrock Sponsor - McLaren Bay Region




All Green Sponsor - DoubleTree by Hilton
Bay City - Riverfront

History

Bay City’s parade began in 1955 and has grown to an event that has become a celebration for the Irish and Irish at heart. The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was on March 17, 1955 at 5:30 p.m. The parade started at Center Avenue and Monroe Street and disbanded at City Hall on Washington Avenue. Mr. Jim Noonan was the Parade Marshal and 10,000 people attended the parade. Sheila Tennant was the St. Patrick’s Day Queen riding the St. Patrick’s Day float that featured a “harp” theme. Parade participants included the:

Central High School Marching Band
Local Boy Scout troops
Auburn Accordion Marching Band
Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Drill Team
AAA Furniture
Michigan Bell Telephone
Gillman Plumbing
Sabourin Drugs
Munger Civil Defense Unit

Past Parades

FullSize with Meagher sign Past parades have featured the Notre Dame marching band and pipe bands from the U.S. and Canada. Among the marchers in the parade have been Michigan’s governor, Uncle Sam and a “bonafide” leprechaun. Horses, motorcycles, and Irish Wolfhounds have all been in our parades.

The 66th Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 2022

Please join us, it’s never too early to start planning your float.