Nothing puts a spring in your step faster than a warm, sunny spring day! And if we are lucky, the warm spell we enjoyed at the end of February will continue on into March. But it’s Michigan, so you never know. It could be raining, storming, 20 degrees below zero … or we could get a foot of snow in March (or April, or May). Nothing surprises us Michiganders. Regardless of the weather, the month of March brings us much to look forward to.
The first day of spring officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere on March 20 at 6:29am and predictions indicate that while the South will experience above-average temperatures, areas from California into the Rockies, the upper Midwest and the Northeast have an equal chance of seeing above and below-average temperatures. Go figure. This is also the day of the Vernal Equinox when days and nights are approximately equal lengths of time.
Get ready to “spring forward” and lose one hour of sleep when Daylight Saving Time kicks in on Sunday, March 12 at 2am. While I hate losing that hour of sleep, I really look forward to the longer hours of natural daylight in the evening. According to Almanac.com, Benjamin Franklin was the first to suggest the idea back in 1784. The Germans were the first to officially adopt the light-extending system in 1915 as a fuel-saving measure during World War I.
Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and the festivities in Flint are always something to look forward to. The day begins with a mass at St. Michael’s Catholic Church and then the Irish Family Walk to McFarlan Park on Saginaw Street. The merriment begins at the St. Matthew’s Church after-party; there will be music, Irish dancing, food, and a whole bunch of fun! The buffet includes chicken, corned beef and cabbage, salad, vegetables and dessert. Patrick Fergerson is this year’s Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Oh, I forgot to mention there are plenty of places around town where you will find some authentic, comforting Irish favorites such as Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and “Irish coffee” (green beer or a cold Guinness). So, get your green on and join in the celebration!
Other events include the Flint Farmers’ Market’s St. Paddy’s Day Beer Festival featuring (of course) beer, live entertainment, Irish-themed food, and the fun 1/2K Draft Dash at 5:30pm! Or if you’d rather, the St. Patrick’s Day Pot O’ Gold 4-Mile Race in Downtown Flint also begins at 5:30pm.
Now that’s a lot to look forward to – and will surely put a spring in your step. Forget about spring cleaning – think spring, think green, and enjoy all the fun that March has to offer!
