March 24, 2025

Sunshine and smiles for Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade

REGIONAL
Staff report

HOLYOKE – It was chilly but sunny as the 72nd annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade stepped off Sunday, March 23.  Thousands of parade-goers lined the streets celebrating Irish heritage. Participants from across the Diocese of Springfield included Catholic schools, the Knights of Columbus, and Holyoke based Jericho, the Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults.

More than 200 volunteers spend close to a year planning the road race and parade, which bring in tens of thousands of people to Holyoke.

“We will start in May. We will have elections for new officers. Then we will hit the ground running. It’s year round for us, even though green season is only in March,” said John Beaulieu, president of the 2025 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee.

Beaulieu and Grand Colleen Moira Catherine Reardon were featured on “Real to Reel,” on Saturday evening, March 22, and “Chalice of Salvation,” on Sunday morning, on WWLP-22 News. Reardon and her court spent the weeks leading up to parade weekend being ambassadors in the community.

“We go around and visit senior centers, parishes and schools in Holyoke and South Hadley, getting everyone excited for the weekend,” said Reardon, a 2021 graduate of Holyoke High School. Reardon also attended Blessed Sacrament School in Holyoke. She is currently enrolled at Springfield Technical Community College in the Health Sciences program.

“I’ve dreamt of that moment since I was a little girl. For that to actually be me, I was shocked,” Reardon said, recalling the moment she heard her name called as Grand Colleen.

“Growing up, seeing the Colleens come into our school inspired me to learn about my Irish heritage. It’s such an honor for me and my family,” she said. Reardon said her Catholic faith is central to her heritage and wears a Celtic cross that belonged to her great-grandfather.

“My great-grandfather Patrick Higgins was very involved in Holyoke and always instilled in us to always be proud of where we came from,” she said. Reardon’s family comes from County Mayo and County Kerry.

The parade committee launched a new fundraising campaign this year to ensure the tradition continues. To donate, go to Marching Forward Together (https://holyokestpatricksparade.com/donate)