The St. Patrick’s Parade and Road Race both bring colorful characters out to the streets of Holyoke.
Reminder Publishing file photo
HOLYOKE — With the calendar turning to March, excitement is growing in Holyoke and across the region as the city’s biggest weekend, the 72nd St. Patrick’s Parade weekend is rapidly approaching.
Green season has been in full swing over the last month with multiple events gearing up for parade weekend.
The weekend unofficially starts on Friday, March 21, but citywide events start on March 22 with parade day on March 23.
Homecoming weekend has lasted over seven decades now because of the tight knit community at its center and the excitement each year brings for all in the city, Irish heritage or not.
Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade President John Beaulieu talked about the expected turnout on Reminder Publishing’s podcast, So That Reminds Me. He said, “[We’re] going to have probably, I want to say 350,000 people. Not all at once but Road Race Day we’ll have probably a couple hundred thousand, if not more and in the parade, through a 2.6-mile stretch, you’ll probably have another couple hundred thousand watching.”
Starting on March 22, the St. Patrick’s Road Race will kick off parade weekend in its 48th year of the event. The described kickoff block party coincides with the 10K race and 2-mile walking route, both running through the city.
For the 10K race, entry price is $40 until March 15 and increases to $45 until March 22. The 6.2-mile course is one of the most challenging, but fun, in the region, according to Beaulieu.
“It is not an easy course by no means that’s why I think a lot of people like to come out for that challenge and run it. We get people from all over,” he stated.
Registration includes a bib number, race T-shirt and other swag. Runners are also invited to stay after the race for awards ceremony and to enjoy refreshments available for purchase by local vendors.
Registration fee for the 2-mile walk is $25. The race day will be accompanied by a block party of food and drink vendors lining the streets.
Those interested can find more information and register at holyokestpatricksroadrace.org.
Bib pick-up will be available on race day from 9 a.m. until noon in the tent at the starting line. The 10K race officially begins at 1 p.m. The walk starts at approximately 1:30 p.m. A kids fun run will begin at 11 a.m. and is completely free.
Line ups will begin at 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of Hampden and Walnut streets.
Beaulieu said runners can park at Holyoke Community College and a shuttle bus will take them to the starting line.
A wreath laying ceremony will take place at the JFK Memorial Plaza at the intersection of Appleton Street and Sycamore Street at 4:15 p.m.
Later in the afternoon, ceremonies begin related to the JFK Award given each year to a prominent Irish American.
The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke announced that actress, author and model Bridget Moynahan is the 2025 recipient of the John F. Kennedy National Award.
Celebrations recognizing Moynahan will take place on parade weekend and include highlights such as an acknowledgment at the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race and a featured position in the grand Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade.
Additionally, she will be honored at the JFK Awards Dinner at the Delaney House on Saturday, March 22.
The public is invited to join the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke at the reception. Ticket information is available at holyokestpatricksparade.com.
A native of Longmeadow, Moynahan’s accomplishments in entertainment and her commitment to uplifting others serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Irish American community, according to the committee.
“I am looking forward to coming to Holyoke for the parade weekend and celebrating with friends and family. It’s starting to feel like a reunion of sorts. I think every kid grows up with dreaming of being in the parade and for me, that was the St. Patrick’s Day parade. I am definitely checking one off of my bucket list,” Moynahan explained to Reminder Publishing last month.
Parade day will kick off at 8 a.m. with the Ambassador’s Award Breakfast and the parade itself will start at 11 a.m.
The inaugural St. Patrick’s Parade was hosted on March 16, 1952, with a reported 25,000 people watching along the parade route. The city looked to draw on its Irish heritage and the event became a hit with it now attracting an estimated 400,000 people annually.
Beaulieu had a message to the readers before parade weekend.
He said, “I was honored to be elected president of the Holyoke committee, I am very proud of my parade committee family, and I’m excited for all the hard work they put in. I can’t wait for them to see the fruits of their labor going down the road. Please, look for a for an event you might want to attend, go to the website and come down and support us and have fun.”
For more information on the upcoming events for Parade Weekend, visit holyokestpatricksparade.com.
