Boy Scouts Display The Flag In Style

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Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade Kicks Off Spring

March 26, 2017       Leave a Comment
By: Stephen Kent

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SPRING! .... Finally? It seems like Spring has been here most of the "winter". Must be because after that first snow I went out and bought a new snow blower. You might know it, I only had one chance to use it and that was a couple of months after I bought it. Doesn't matter. SPRING IS HERE and the 63nd annual Bay City Saint Patrick's Day Parade hit the street to prove it!

If you've been to the parade before you know how it starts. The local and State Police lead the celebration followed by fire engines and ambulances, all with their sirens blaring at full volume. As they come between the churches and large buildings near downtown it just makes the din louder. But that's what everyone (or the kids at least) wait for. (if you wanna hear it, click on the Instagram movie link below)

Based on the huge crowds that came out for the parade you'd think it had been a hard winter and everyone just wanted outside to celebrate the warm weather. "This seemed to be the largest crowd in years,Temperature" said parade organizer Jan Rau. "We brought up the rear and there were as many people at the beginning as at the end. We estimated that there were 60,000 people, or more".

Not to tempt fate, but we have to say that days like last Sunday have been the rule for the annual parade for the last severThe temperature was mid 40's with a few puffy clouds in an otherwise clear sky. And there was no wind! You could hardly ask for a better day to get everyone outside.

We do have to mention one funny anecdote. There were a number of horses and riders in this year's parade. Just past the reviewing stand, in front of the Wirt Library, one of the horses "did his thing". This year there was no kid with a shovel and wagon following. As each of the next units approached, the crowd started yelling, pointing and laughing. Half dozen walkers and riders deftly skirted around the tribute to the horse and buggy days. Then along came a huge dump truck with a snow plow proudly hooked to the front. Hearing the yelling and seeing the "tribute", the driver, with a wave and a flourish, lowered his plow and scrapped the road. It didn't really clean the mess, but everyone cheered anyway.

As the last units passed the Library Jan Rau and her husband brought up the rear. She was very happy with the day as she visited with this reporter. Everyone had a great time and things came off just fine.

Enjoy this collection of photos from the day and send a link to your friends and relatives. MyBayCity.com is read worldwide. It's fun to show others how we enjoy ourselves each spring.

A post shared by Steve Kent (@mmcctech47) on Mar 20, 2017 at 9:11am PDT

Police and Fire lead off annual St. Patrick Day Parade.
(Click image to start and stop movie)

A post shared by Steve Kent (@mmcctech47) on Mar 20, 2017 at 9:27am PDT

Bay City Central High Marching Wolves
The oldest continuous marching bank in the state.
(Click image to start and stop movie)




Crowds line Center Avenue like this for the full two mile parade route



Crowds line Center Avenue like this for the full two mile parade route



Crowd



Spring makes everyone turn cartwheels!



How 'bout that ORANGE HAIR!







40&8 Vet prepares to fire his cannon. The boom could be heard for a mile!
(Do YOU know where the name 40&8 came from? GOOGLE it for some interesting history.)



One of many flag units in front of historic First Presbyterian Church



She just can't wait!



Our favorite Leprechaun is an annual fixture at the parade.



Every parade needs it's queens



Bay City Mayor Kathy Newsham



The Military was well represented



Hats and bowties show the spirit



Handing out beads



The Special Olympics bubble machine was a treat



Munger Potato Festival Court



The sign read "Lucky to have it all at All Saints"



I'd vote "best glasses" for the Hibernians piper.



Bay City Western High School Band



That had to get warm before the day was over



Trio sings from the "Oktoberfestbier" float



We're not sure if the beer maid who followed the "Oktoberfestbier" float was giving out samples



Michigan Bean Queen



Miss Michigan



Frankenmuth Credit Union's "BIG PIGGY BANK"



YEA!



Anyone can walk if they have a costume



Muskegon Regional Police Pipes and Drums



Michigan Sugar Queen and Court



Everybody say CHEESE



Colonial Pipe and Drum Corp



Miss Bridge Fest



Watch it! He ain't taking no sass!



That's about half of the Standish Cheerleading All Stars



Here's the rest of the Standish Cheerleading All Stars



These cuties are starting early with the Miss Midwest Sweetheart pagent



Freemasons - "To Be One, Ask One"



Mason Jim Griffiths drives the group's van



Elf Khurafeh Mini Cars from Midland Area Shrine
How DO they get into and out of those things!



John Glen High School Band



Battle Balls



Chemical Bank



Beautiful Buick represents Denny's Collision



Girl Scouts



Cute kids are the real treat of the parade



Kids all have fun at a parade



Hi to you too!



Just too much excitement, I guess.



Jeepers Creepers Look'it Those Peepers!



Happy faces



Those must be prize winning chickens



Look at that!



Collecting candy



Chillin at the parade



Another happy face



Nice hat



Handing out candy



Show off that bow!



Brats and Dogs cooking outside First Presbyterian Church
A parade tradition!



Just too much to take in on an afternoon.



Riverdawgs Teamwork!



Good Makeup!



Celebrating 100 Years of Women's right to vote!



Parade of BIG RIGS near the end of the parade



Every parade needs horses



WOW! That's a great horse and rider.



Black Pearl "Rum Bar and Rok Grille"



Parade Organizer Jan Rau brought up the rear of another successful and fun
St. Patrick Day Parade in Downtown Bay City, Michigan

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	Prior Article February 10, 2020 by: Rachel Reh Family Winter Fun Fest is BACC Hot Spot for 2/10/2020
	Next Article February 2, 2020 by: Kathy Rupert-Mathews MOVIE REVIEW: "Just Mercy" ... You Will Shed Tears, or at Least You Should

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Stephen Kent
Steve Kent and his family have lived in Bay City for 40 years. He is VP of Technical Services at MMCC which produces MyBayCity.Com. Kent is active in many Bay City civic organizations. More from Stephen Kent

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