BAY CITY, MI – It was 1955 when Bay City residents and visitors gathered along Center Avenue to watch the city’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade procession march through the streets of town, beginning at Center Avenue and Monroe Street and disbanding at City Hall on Washington Avenue.

Seventy years later, the parade is still a fixture of the annual Irish celebration. And as they have for the past several decades, thousands of people are expected to line Center Avenue this year, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite float in the annual parade.

“I always look forward to this time of year,” Bay City Mayor Chris Girard said at a news conference announcing this year’s festivities. “The races, the parade. It is a party in Bay City.”

This year’s parade will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16, the day before St. Patrick’s Day. It starts at Center and Park avenues and ends at Center Avenue and Water Street.

Visitors may watch the parade all along Center from Park to Water. Parade organizers recommend finding a viewing spot by 1 p.m. and allowing extra travel time.

Click here for more information on this year’s parade.

52nd annual Bay Area Runners Club Bay City St. Patrick’s Day races

While the parade is a fixture in the Bay City community, it’s not the only thing that draws people to the area for the holiday.

Bay City this year is also celebrating its 52nd annual Bay Area Runners Club Bay City St. Patrick’s Day races.

This year’s event includes the creation of a standalone event for the Irish Double, a popular race for the past decade that combines the 8- and 5-kilometer races. The event will feature 500 participants and is sold out.

Also new this year is a youth pricing option for the non-competitive, untimed 5-kilometer walk. The addition was made at the behest of families who wanted their children to participate on race day.

Click here for more information .

Getting to town

Getting to Bay City is a little different these days if commuters are looking to avoid the city’s two toll bridges. With the Lafayette Bridge being closed until 2027, only the Veterans Memorial Bridge is free to use.

In case you’re a city resident with a transponder allowing for free use of the toll bridges, both are expected to be open for the holiday weekend.

Parking

With Center Avenue being closed off as the parade route, those commuting to Bay City will want to find parking elsewhere.

In the downtown Bay City area, pay station parking is available in several locations. Paid parking can be found in four lots on Saginaw and 5th streets, the Jennison Lot, Washington Avenue and 6th Street and Center Avenue and Adams Street.

The ParkMobile parking rate is $1 per hour or $5 for the day.

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