A milestone march for the 70th

By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com

When the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade steps off on Sunday, all involved will be celebrating a major milestone: The parade is marking its 70th anniversary this year.

The 2.65-mile parade will step off from the former Kmart Plaza on Northampton Street at 11:10 a.m. and make its way to Hampden Street via Beech, Appleton and High Streets.

Jane Coughlin Chevalier, of South Hadley, will serve as grand marshal. Parade president Karen M. Casey will be joined by chief of staff Kathleen M. Krisak and deputy chiefs of staff Kathleen Lynch, Craig Haslam and Johnny Driscoll. Special guest Micheál Martin, Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense of Ireland, will also march. As the deputy prime minister of Ireland, Martin will be the highest-ranking sitting official to march in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade.

“Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all our friends in Western Massachusetts, and I am delighted to attend the wonderful Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2023,” Martin wrote in a letter to the Parade Committee.

“I am also grateful to be part of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Holyoke. Ireland’s links with Western Massachusetts run deep, and nurturing these connections is a priority for the Irish Government. St. Patrick’s Day offers a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the 70 million people worldwide of Irish background,” he added.

For more information, visit the parade’s website at holyokestpatricksparade. com or Facebook.com/ HolyokeParade. The parade’s Twitter page can be found at @holyokeparade, and this year’s hashtag for posting to social media is #Parade413.

Here is the line of march, which is subject to change:

Division AA

Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee

Curran Vehicles

Holyoke Auxiliary Police — Car Parade Program Books — Van

1930 AA Fire Truck — Grinch

Division A

Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee

Holyoke Auxiliary Color Guard

Fusion Core Drum & Bugle Band —

Chris Daigle, of Southampton, above, enjoys her time at the 69th Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade with her granddaughters Lily and Lucy. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

Morris County, New Jersey

Holyoke Police Chief Dave Pratt

Holyoke Police Department

Marching Unit

Retired Holyoke Police

Massachusetts State Police Vehicles

Tian Guo Marching Band — Greater New York

Grand Marshal — Jane Coughlin Chevalier, Tom Chevalier and Family

Past Grand Marshals

St. Patrick’s Parade Chaplain — The Rev. Michael J. Twohig

J.F.K National Award Winner — Lenny Jacobson and Family

Marquis of Granby — Granby, Connecticut.

Parade President — Karen Casey, Jim Casey 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

Valet Park Vehicle

Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee Grand Colleen Float - Abby Ross Glasheen and her court, “Seoda na Cathrach — Treasure of the City”

SEE LINE, PAGE E15