Women will lead march of city’s parade contingents

Springfield’s float will be bookthemed

By C ori U rban

Special to The

Republican

IN WHAT COULD BE A first, three of the biggest march units in the Springfield contingent in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade will be led by women.

The Springfield Parade Committee will be led by president Siobhan Cullen.

The John Boyle O’Reilly Club will be led by club president Patty Devine. Springfield Elks Lodge 61 will be led by exalted ruler Ann Austin. This will be the second year that contingent members will wear the Springfield Tartan. “Many marchers in our contingent will be wearing it proudly down the streets of Holyoke,” said Kerri F. Sullivan who serves as media relations/public relations contact and is a member of the Springfield St.

Patrick’s Parade Committee and Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee Board of Directors and the regional liaison to Holyoke. “Springfield truly is a diverse city, and our tartan reflects that. The story of Springfield is one that has been woven together through time by its people. The tartan represents the strength of our city’s residents, their resilience and their dedication to the betterment of future generations. This tartan is representative of all that is

City Council, Holyoke School Committee, Holyoke Historical Committee, and members of Holyoke’s 150th Committee and their float.

“The float is a combination 150th Anniversary Celebration and the efforts of MIFA/ Victory Theatre with a film projector, movie theater seats and various signs on board,” Quesnel said.

The float is followed by the Holyoke Fire Department Color Guard Unit, Holyoke Fire Chief John Kadlewicz and members of the Holyoke Fire Department marching before the arrival of another float called “What Goes Around, Comes Around” entered by Conklin Office Furniture with their own marching unit behind. They will be followed by federal dignitaries, state senators and representatives, District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 46 and Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi.

The line of march continues with the lively sounds of the flamboyant Aqua String Band of Philadelphia followed by marchers including Holyoke/Chicopee Head Start, Holyoke Community Charter

School, Holyoke Girls Youth Lacrosse Team, Ms. Massachusetts Senior America 2022 Debbie Peixoto, Miss Western Massachusetts 2023 Bailey Tatro, Miss Western Massachusetts Outstanding Teen 2023 Sydney Drugan, and Miss Pioneer Valley 2023 Olivia Tochio.

More music is on tap from the Brooklyn United Drumline back after rave reviews from last year’s first appearance in the parade. They will be followed by marchers from the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, Blessed Sacrament School, Mater Dolorosa School, Hope for Holyoke, as well as an appearance by Princesses Elsa and Anna and Captain America and Wonder Woman.

Jericho — the Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults has marchers and a float called “Noah’s Ark” carrying donated stuffed animals. It will be followed by a Holyoke Gas & Electric utility vehicle.

As the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee section of the long parade nears an end, Stony Creek Fife and Drum from Branford, Connecticut, makes some noise followed by marchers from Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems as well as a Valet Park Mini Van and Ambulance, and then the Cassin

Academy of Irish Dance. The Holyoke Ancient Order of Hibernians has two floats, dancers, and marchers including the AOH 2023 Man of the Year John “Jay” Whelihan, LAOH 2023 Woman of the Year Mary Kate O’Connor, and AOH 2023 Christian Charity Award Winner Brenda Lamagdeline.

Next the amazing Caballos de Paso Horses perform for parade watchers followed by the Great American Marching Band from East Windsor, Connecticut, and by marchers from the Veterans’ Home of Holyoke (formerly Soldier’s Home), Westover USO, Disabled American Veterans, 82nd Airborne Division Association, American Legion Post #351, American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army Disaster Service Van.

The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee section of the annual parade ends with the distinct tones heard off the Worcester Sound Military Band Organ, followed by a surprise.

“The surprise is we have nine people stringing along a Balloonworks Shamrock. It’s the first balloon in our parade in a long time,” Krisak said. “And there is much more to follow by other cities and towns after our Holyoke Division comes to an end with the balloon.”