CHICOPEE — The St. Patrick’s Parade Committee of Chicopee is hosting its annual President’s Dinner at the Portuguese American Club, 149 Exchange St., Chicopee on Saturday, Feb. 1, beginning at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $50 each and are available from any committee member, or by contacting Aly Sliwa at 413-348-3053 or Meghan Balakier at 413-335-9769. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
The following individuals and one business will be honored:
President
The first honoree will be the 2025 President Kathy Sliwa, who is responsible for leading the activities of the committee throughout the season and on the upcoming parade day.
Sliwa has been an active committee member for nearly 20 years, serving on numerous subcommittees including the 60th and 70th anniversary, nominating, membership and bylaws.
She has co-chaired the Board of Directors, served as treasurer for three years, and most recently, vice president. Sliwa was the 2023 recipient of the Woods Award, given for long-term exemplary service.
Parade marshal
The next honoree will be the Parade Marshal Billy Stetson. He will lead the entire Chicopee contingent through the streets of Holyoke in the parade on March 23.
Stetson has owned and operated the Rumbleseat Bar and Grille for 23 years, where his community activities include fundraising for sports teams and other charitable causes.
His annual golf tournament has raised over $100,000 for current or former Chicopee residents and families. He has been a member of many different nonprofit committees and organizations and is currently serving on the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center building committee.
Stetson is familiar with the activities of the St. Patrick’s Committee of Chicopee. He was a past member and served as its president in 2014.
Stetson was surprised when Sliwa called to tell him he was selected as the 2025 marshal.
He said, “[It] is an honor that really hasn’t hit me yet and probably won’t until parade day. I thought my marching days were over. I am so looking forward to marching again with my family, my kids were very young the last time we marched so this time will be a different perspective for them, and of course for my wife Urszula who is the real marshal in my life. They are all excited to be a part of it.”
Woods Award recipient
The Woods Award recognizes a committee member for long-time, exemplary service. This year’s winner is George A. Balakier,
A life-long city resident, Balakier has been an active member of the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee of Chicopee since 2009. He has served in a number of leadership positions during his tenure, including co-hosting the Colleen Ball, Fundraising Committee, Board of Directors, Colleen Event chauffeur, mayoral political liaison and scholarship chair.
Balakier is married to Kathleen, 2017 Chicopee parade marshal, and they have a daughter, Meghan, who was the 2024 Chicopee Parade Committee president and 2008 Colleen Court Member. He enjoys traveling the world with his family, reading, spending time at the beach and said he is especially looking forward to marching with them in the upcoming St. Patrick’s Parade.
Atkinson Award Recipient
The Atkinson Award recognizes a person or organization in the community that has supported the committee but is not an active member. This year’s winner is Corridan Funeral Home, Atkinson Award Recipient.
Owner and Director Kevin P. Culloo will be accepting the award on behalf of the business.
This local business has had a long association with the Chicopee Parade Committee. Since 1951, they have demonstrated a deep devotion to Chicopee and its citizens, being active members in organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, The Elks and the Chicopee Savings Bank Board of Trustees and eventually the Chicopee Parade Committee.
Through the Corridan Funeral Home, Culloo carries on the family’s tradition of service to the citizens of Chicopee and surrounding communities that his grandparents and his uncle established. He will accept the Atkinson Award on behalf of the family business and said he looks forward to representing them on parade day.
Meara Award recipient
The Meara Award is presented to an individual who has performed heroically to come to the aid of others. This year, Brady Procon will be recognized for the award.
In July 2024, the then 17-year old Procon intervened to prevent a tragic accident on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, by jumping from a jetski onto a rogue boat to stop it from spinning uncontrollably after its captain was knocked off during a sailing lesson.
Procon is preparing to serve as a Navy Sailor specializing in Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
In the coming weeks he will begin his training at Navy Boot Camp in Chicago, taking the first steps toward a career in one of the Navy’s special forces.
The President’s Dinner is the first event in 2025. Other upcoming events and fundraisers to which the public is invited will be posted on the group’s website at chicopeespc.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/chicopeespc.
