Traverse City St. Patrick's Day Parade Returns March 14 Downtown

The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Bun Brady Division, brought downtown Traverse City to life March 14 with the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, stepping off from MiddleCoast Brewing at 1:30 p.m. and winding through the heart of the city for roughly one hour.

The parade traced a loop through downtown, turning left at Boardman Avenue, then left again at Front Street, marching to Union Street and returning to MiddleCoast via State Street. Irish dancers, community groups, and festive floats filled the route, while MiddleCoast had opened its doors at 9 a.m. for singing and hospitality before participants lined up at 1 p.m. Post-parade festivities included a performance by musical act Song of the Lakes, the appointment of a Queen and Lord Mayor, and a newly-brewed stout poured inside the brewery.

The celebration carries real weight beyond the pageantry. Tim Brisbois, president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, has pointed to the parade's role in funding local organizations including the Father Fred Foundation and Dan's House. "We've raised money for the Father Fred Foundation, and we've raised several million dollars over the years for the organization," Brisbois said.

The Bun Brady Division is Grand Traverse County's branch of the national Ancient Order of Hibernians, an organization with roots stretching back to 1836, when it was established in Pennsylvania to protect Irish immigrants facing discrimination. The division's name honors the founder of Brady's Bar, a local institution. The parade tradition in Traverse City dates to 1978, when a group called the Irish Queens first staged the event; the newly formed local AOH chapter took over operations the following year and has organized the celebration alongside the Queens ever since, interrupted only by three COVID-19 cancellations in recent years.

"This group brings home what being Irish is all about. You feel that spirit in this group," Brisbois said.

The AOH has noted it is actively seeking the next generation of members to carry on the tradition. Those interested in joining the Bun Brady Chapter can find the group on Facebook at the traversecityaoh page.