FLINT -- Neighbors across Mid-Michigan celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a number of celebrations.
Bay City held its 59th annual St. Patrick's Day parade on Sunday afternoon. NBC25’s Bill Harris even served as a parade judge.
The annual parade has marched through the streets of Bay City since 1955. While it was about 40 degrees warmer last year, there was an excellent turnout despite a nagging, cold wind. Thousands lined the parade route down Center Avenue.
In Flint, the Downtown Development Authority threw their own spin on St. Patrick’s Day. Local radio stations and bars were housed under tents in the University of Michigan-Flint’s Flat Lot.
D.D.A. officials say different bars and restaurants contributed gift certificates for the event featuring a bar crawl down Saginaw Street.
Flint bars also enjoyed the St. Patrick’s Day festivities but the drinking didn't start until noon. Owners of downtown bars NBC25 spoke with say they lost money because of the noon regulation.
This comes after the Michigan Liquor Control Commission ruled the city could not allow establishments to sell liquor before noon on St. Patrick’s Day.
As you may recall, the city council ruled bars could sell liquor before noon but the M.L.C.C. reversed that decision.
"I think it has had an effect. I think it has had a big effect but it is what it is,” says Chris Poulos, owner of The White Horse Tavern.
Poulos says Saint Patrick’s Day always provides one of the best bar days of the year.
