A group decked out for the 2026 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade.
Reminder Publishing file photo
HOLYOKE — A recent study shows that Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Parade and Road Race generate $39.3 million in total economic output across Hampden and Hampshire counties.
That same study also says that the weekend supports 275 jobs, $10.6 million in local wages and $20.5 million in value added.
For more than seven decades, the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade has brought thousands of people to Holyoke each year to celebrate, gather with family and friends and experience all that the city and region have to offer.
The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke hosted a press conference on Sept. 21 to unveil the study’s findings titled “Economic Impacts of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade and Road Race.”
The analysis builds on a previous economic impact study conducted by the UMass Donahue Institute and uses visitor survey data, committee expenditures, business case studies and Cambridge Econometrics’ REACT input-output model to measure both the overall economic contribution of the events and the portion of activity that represents new economic activity for the region.
The committee last completed a study 15 years ago, which found that parade weekend that year brought in $22 million from events, sales, restaurants, hotels and everything else that factors into the weekend.
The new study estimates that the annual parade attracts approximately 350,000 spectators, while the road race draws approximately 56,000 participants and spectators, including 6,000 runners. Of the estimated parade attendance, approximately 88,000 visitors come from outside Hampden and Hampshire counties, while the race attracts an additional 9,000 visitors from outside the region.
The study provided new data and insights into the parade’s broader economic impact, including the activity generated by the thousands of people who visit Holyoke for the parade and related festivities.
Guest speakers at the press conference included Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade leadership, elected officials and representatives from Cambridge Econometrics, a Western Massachusetts-based firm that conducted the study.
2027 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade President Stephanie Joyce shared that the research process started in early 2025 thanks an earmark in the FY26 state budget.
“For generations, people have known that the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade is special. Now we have the data to show just how significant it is — not only culturally, but economically,” Joyce said. “The parade and road race bring visitors to Holyoke, support local businesses, create jobs and showcase our region to people throughout New England and beyond. This impact reaches far beyond parade day, and we invite businesses, sponsors and community partners to be part of this celebration and help us build on its momentum.”
Ann Ormsbee and Dan Hodge from Cambridge Econometrics shared results from the 40-page economic impact study, found online at holyokestpatricksparade.com. Holyoke St. Patrick’s Committee members said the study’s goal is to show that the weekend’s impact stretches beyond the parade.
The study estimates that parade and road race visitors spend more than $23.2 million in the region, while regional St. Patrick’s committees contribute approximately $470,000 in annual spending in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Together, these activities generate approximately $23.7 million in direct spending in the two-county region.
Aside from gathering information from road race and parade visitors, Cambridge Econometrics conducted case studies with Log Cabin, Delaney House and D. Hotel, Brennan’s Place, Rumbleseat Bar & Grille, Bean Restaurant Group and Quality Beverage to better understand the real-world impact of the events. Each business shared that they experience a significant increase in sales and business during parade weekend.
The study illustrated the benefits extended to taxpayers and the community. The economic activity generated by the St. Patrick’s celebrations also produces an estimated $2.3 million annually in tax revenue for the commonwealth and approximately $86,000 for the city of Holyoke.
Additionally, approximately 200 volunteers contribute an estimated 32,000 hours each year to planning, organizing and executing the parade, road race and related events. Cambridge Econometrics estimates the value of that volunteer labor at approximately $970,000.
“If we want Holyoke’s economy to grow, we want Western Massachusetts to grow; we have to recognize the things that are already working here and continue to do what we can to build,” Mayor Joshua Garcia stated during the press conference.
