March is just around the corner and it’s time to start thinking green! The Ancient Order of Hibernians has announced the details of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Flint. The 39th Annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities take place on Tuesday, March 17, from 12:02pm to 6pm. This year, the Grand Marshal is Flint resident Tony Vance, the Chief of the United States Attorney’s branch offices in Flint and Bay City. Also, in attendance will be 2020 Miss Hibernia Bridget Cassidy and her court, Mother of the Year Helen O’Dea of Clio, and Father of the Year Mike Vance of Fenton.
The celebration begins with the Awards Program at 11:30am and Mass at 12:02pm (because Irish people are always late) at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. This is followed by an Irish Family Walk to the McFarlan Veterans Memorial Park, where they will raise the Irish flag. After the walk, there is a celebration of the Irish heritage at St. Matthew’s Church, 706 Beach Street, with music DJ by Black Tie Productions, traditional food, Irish dancers and beverages of all kinds. After 2:30pm there is a charge of free-will donation entrance fee. For more information, visit FlintStPatricksDay.com.
The festivities continue on into the evening with the Pot O’Gold 4 Mile Run/Walk. There is something for everyone. At 5:30pm, is the quarter-mile Little Blarney Trot, open to boys and girls, ages 10 years and younger, for a $10 fee. At 6pm, the Pot O’Gold 4 Mile Road Race begins, with the 4 Mile Walk to start immediately after. The fast, flat and scenic 4-mile course runs through the University of Michigan-Flint Campus, through the Cultural area, Mott Estate and loops around to finish at the Masonic Temple.
The Pot O’Gold 4 Mile Run/Walk has a pre-registration entry fee of $35 with T-shirt, by March 6, and $40 the day of the race. For more information about this event, call Complete Runner at 810.233.8851 or visit TheCompleteRunner.com.
