Happy St. Patrick’s Day

March 17, 2017 (FLINT, Mich)– Mayor Karen Weaver met with members of the Flint Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, America’s oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization.

Members including, Patrick Fergerson and John Potbury, stopped by the Mayor’s Office this week to discuss the festivities the group planned to celebrate their Irish heritage.

“We used to have a huge celebration with a parade on Saginaw Street before it became cost prohibitive,” said John Potbury. “Now we’ve scaled things down a bit, but it’s important to us that we keep the party in Flint.”

The group is hosting a number of events in the city today, a tradition they’ve maintained for 38 years.

“I have the pleasure of being the Grand Marshal this year,” commented Fergerson. “We start with a breakfast at Mott College with the school’s president, later we head to McFarland Park Cemetery where we’ll raise the Irish flag.”

The men presented Mayor Weaver with a shamrock plant. She presented them with a proclamation from the City of Flint.

“I hope you all will keep doing what you’re doing,” said Weaver. “St. Patrick’s Day has become an important American holiday and we must keep the tradition alive here in Flint.”