‘Treasure of the city’ awaits paradegoers

By K eith O ’C onnor

Special to The Republican

EVEN BEFORE THE sights of the Holyoke Auxiliary Color Guard and the sounds of Fusion Core Drum & Bugle Band officially begin the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, there’s the Grinch.

Yes, the Grinch.

“We put the Grinch aboard a 1930 AA Fire Truck and kids love seeing him. The Grinch really gets the crowd enthusiastic for what is to come,” said Kathy Krisak, chair, Parade Coordination.

Once the Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Band passes by, they will be followed by Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt and retired and current Holyoke Police officers marching in line before the appearance of some shiny Massachusetts State Police vehicles.

The Tian Guo Marching Band from New York heralds the appearance of Grand Marshal Jane Coughlin Chevalier and her husband and family, past Grand Marshals, St. Patrick’s Parade Chaplin Fr. Michael J. Twohig, and J.F.K. National Award Winner actor and Holyoke native Lenny Jacobson and family members.

With the sounds of Marquis of Granby, Conn., the parade continues with Parade President Karen Casey, her husband and family; Rohan Award Winner Cathy McEvady and family; O’Connell Award Winner Kelly Anne McGiverin, Pat Lacey and family; Gallivan Award Winner Jennifer Voyik-Morrison, Joseph Morrison and family, followed by a Valet Park vehicle.

The first float to drive down the streets of Holyoke is always the Holyoke Grand Colleen float called “Seoda na Cathrach — Treasure of the City.” This year it will be carrying Grand Colleen Abby Ross Glasheen, and her court – Catherine Mary Keane,

Lauren Nicole Ryan, Caroline Sullivan Leahy (Miss Congeniality) and Mara Moriarty Downie.

Several years ago, as a way to generate greater interest in the parade among the youth of Holyoke, the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee initiated a contest with local Holyoke schools to render a design for the Grand Colleen float.

The St. Patrick’s Parade Committee recently honored Maura Tyler for submitting the winning design for the Grand Colleen float. The committee presented the Blessed Sacrament School 7th grader with a $100 scholarship during a ceremony on Feb. 7 at the school.

“Their float is one of seven in the Holyoke Division and among 15 in the entire parade,” William Quesnel, chair of the Float Committee, said.

Once the colleen float passes by, it will be followed by Ambassador Award Winner Ambassador Claire Cronin and her family, Congressman Richard E. Neal, Minister for Education for the Government of Ireland Norma Foley and the music of the Holyoke Caledonian Band who are this year’s Citizenship Award winner.

“Celebrating 100 Years of Compassionate Care,” the

Sisters of Providence float follows next with members of the order on the float and in a van, one of whom is 100 years old, noted Quesnel. Behind them will be the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Color Corps and members of the Knights of Columbus Assembly 2670, 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus, and some fun and tall stilt walkers in Irish for the occasion.

The City of Holyoke takes center stage next in the marching procession with Holyoke High School and Middle School Cheerleaders, Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia and family, Holyoke