By Rachael Humphrey
This year Clare Area Chamber of Commerce anticipates a big celebration for St. Patrick’s Day, as it marks 50 years since the celebration began.
The earliest mentions of the celebrations began on March 10th, 1975 when it was decided that the city of Clare adopt an Irish theme. From the Clare Sentinel printed on March 12th, “The board of directors of the Clare Chamber of Commerce spent a considerable time at their monthly meeting on Monday discussing an Irish theme for the city.” They decided to embrace the “natural link” to the namesake city of Clare in Ireland and would present it to the entire chamber at the following meeting.
In 1976 the first “Wee Bit of Ireland” was held with a dance at the Doherty Hotel. This was put on by the “Irish Theme Committee.” It was this year that the first trip to Ireland was auctioned off. It was won by John Quinnans.
By 1977 “Everyone is Irish” was printed in the press. The Chamber wanted everyone to have a week to celebrate saying “this is also the week where everyone is Irish, regardless of their background.”
In 1977 they had a small parade featuring the high school band and a handful of floats. The Irish Committee was pleased, but stated that they were hoping to see it grow in the years to come.
Weather always seems to be the topic of the weekend, and in 1977 they had sun and 70-degree weather for the parade and the next day it was said they got 4 inches of “wet sloppy snow.”
The year 1977 was also when the business windows started filling up with coloring competition images from the local school children.
In 1979 the first Grand Marshall was presented. Mrs. Helen Lucile Doherty led the way for the green parade on March 17th, 1979 for the 4th annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Back in the first few years of “Wee Bit of Irish” the celebrations started with a church service in the park, followed by the parade and then the road race and finished off with a dinner dance at the Doherty Hotel.
In 1979 there were 610 participants in the road race from all over the state of Michigan. They had two races, one a 5,000-meter race and one a 10,000-meter race, both finishing at the South side of Clare High School. Because of the large number of anticipated racers, they split the start times.
It is clear that since 1975 the Irish theme has hit home for Clare, Michigan. It is evident in the celebrations each year that the City of Clare has truly embraced the “natural connection” to Clare, Ireland.
Clare Area Chamber of Commerce President sent a statement: “Over the years the Irish Festival has evolved and this year is sure to excite everyone who attends the events throughout the week. Starting on Tuesday, March 11th the Chelsea House Orchestra Performance will be performing a free show at the Ideal Theater starting at 6:30pm. Then at 8pm the Irish Comedy Tour will be performing at the Doherty Hotel. Tickets must be purchased online. You can visit the Chamber website to obtain the information. Wednesday evening is the Business After Hours and the Mid-Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters Auction. Thursday brings the Irish Recipe Contest, the Stein Holding Contest and the Gateway Community Band Concert. Friday holds an Irish Storytime, Blessing at the Blarney Stone, Barrel Race, a Drone Show and two Irish bands will be playing downtown under the tent, the Black Murray Band and Kennedy’s Kitchen Band. Saturday will impress with the Unipiper, Leprechaun Contest, the Boy scouts Pancake Breakfast, the Road Race, Strongman Competition, Irish Whistle Instruction, Some Ukulele Nuts, and Irish Craft & Vendor Market, Northern Irish Dance Academy, the Irish Parade led by our Grand Marshall Jeff Poet, Bed Race, White Pine Pipes and Drums, a Barrel Race, Most Irish Contest and the Red Hat Strutters.”
For more information on the 50th year celebration, check out the Clare Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or visit their website.
