60th Anniversary of the
Bay City St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 16, 2014 • 2:00 p.m
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 band, local Boy Scout troops, the Auburn Accordion marching band, Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree drill team, AAA Furniture, Michigan Bell Telephone, Gillman Plumbing, Sabourin Drugs, and the Munger Civil Defense unit.
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.
Each year our Queens pageant provides scholarship monies for the Queen and court. These young women of Irish descent are selected based on a personal interview a well as on stage poise and creativity.
The 2013 parade was led by Parade Marshal, Kelly Reed. Newly added were floats competing in the commercial float category complete with animated characters and super heroes marching along side.
The 2014 parade on March 16th begins at 2:00 p.m. at Center and Park Avenues and disbands at Wenona Park on Water Street. Entries include the St. Patrick’s Day Queen’s float, marching bands, pipe bands, drill teams and floats. All will be led by the 2014 Parade Marshals, sisters Leslie Walsh and Lisa Kreh to celebrate the Irish, our community and the beginning of spring.
Please join us and we hope you and yours have a Happy St. Patrick's Day. Slainte!
Questions? Contact us by clicking here
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