32nd annual Flint St. Patrick's Day Celebration to be held Sunda - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(03/14/13) - The Ancient Order of Hibernians is ready to get a little festive on St. Patrick's Day.

"A little bit, you know. As the day goes on, they get rowdier. They get that Jamison in them and stuff like that," said Peter Hogan, of Ancient Order of Hibernians.

All kidding aside, Sunday, the Hibenrians are hosting the 32nd annual Flint St. Patrick's Day Celebration, beginning with a 12:02 mass at St. Michael's.

"After the Mass, a family walk down to McFarlan Park, where we'll honor the veterans and our Irish ancestors. Then we'll go back up to party central at St. Mike's, the old gym, which is now Catholic Charities," said Patrick O'Reilly, 2013 Grand Marshall.

Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for scholarships and for a variety of causes supported by the Ancient Order.

"We focus mainly on the Genesee Disability Network and the Area Special Olympics," said John Roach, of Ancient Order of Hibernians.

There's also the 4-mile Pot o' Gold Race and Little Blarney kids run.

"There'll be a lot of costumes when they show up to run, and a lot of green, and it's exciting to see them run downtown," O'Reilly said.

The Hibernians aren't the only ones in downtown Flint holding a celebration Sunday. The Downtown Development Authority is planning a big bash in the flat lot as well.

"We're doing some family stuff early in the day with a photo booth and a magician for the kids," said Gerard Burnash, Flint DDA Executive Director.

Along with heated tents, and a DJ, the DDA has organized a restaurant and pub crawl with some big prizes.

"We have $1,200 in gift certificates from downtown establishments, so every bar or restaurant that you go into, drop a ticket off, and you have a chance to win. It's just getting people on the streets and getting them a chance to see everything we have down here," Burnash said.

Sunday, Bay City will also host it's 58th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.