HOLYOKE — The 72nd St. Patrick’s Parade made its way through the streets of Holyoke on a chilly but sunny day on March 23. Paradegoers from throughout Western Massachusetts and Connecticut lined the streets of the Paper City to greet marchers, including JFK National Award Winner Bridget Moynahan and the colleens from Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield, Agawam, West Springfield and Westfield, local officials and digintaries, musical and performing arts groups, the Melha Shriners, and more.
Reminder Publishing photos by Marc St. Onge
The Grimaldi family gathers to view the 72nd annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s parade on March 23.Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band.Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan marches with fellow officers.Parade Grand Marshal James M. Lavelle and familyJFK National Award Winner Bridget Moynahan and family.The Aqua String Band.Parade President John R. Beaulieu & FamilyRohan Award Winner Devin Sheehan & FamilyO’Connell Award Winner Jeff Walsh & FamilyJanoah the Jester entertains the Northampton Street crowd.Gallivan Award Winner James MeenaghanHolyoke colleen floatGrand colleen Moira Catherine ReardonCongressman Richard Neal with Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason.Citizenship Award recipient Rev. Fr. Robert A. Gentile Jr.4th Degree Knights of Columbus Color CorpsHolyoke High School Band.Holyoke High School Band.Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia and familyHolyoke City CouncilDean Tech floatHolyoke Fire Chief John Kadlewicz leads the department’s marching unit.A Holyoke firefighter offers a carnation to a parade attendee.State Sens. Jake Oliveira and John Velis.Tian Guo marching band.Miss Western Massachusetts 2025 Madelynn Hardtke and Miss Western Massachusetts Teen 2025 Faith RamosFirst place Open Theme winner United Horizons “Friends for Down Syndrome & Autism.”Hampden County Sheriff Nick CocchiHampden County Sheriff mounted marching unit.Holyoke’s Victory Theater float.Second place open theme winner “There’s No Place Like Jericho”Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Marching UnitsLadies Ancient Order of Hibernians 2025 Woman of the Year Cheryl DupontAncient Order of Hibernians 2025 Man of the Year Daniel MurphyAncient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians 2025 Presidents Joseph O’Connor & Mary O’ConnorSt. Patrick makes his usual appearance.Ancient Order of Hibernians 2025 Christian Charity Award winner Owen DonohueFirst place, Religious Theme winner St. Brigid’s FloatCaballos de Paso gaited horses.Chicopee Parade Marshal Billy Stetson and family.Chicopee High School Marching Pacers Band.Chicopee Parade Committee President Kathy Silwa.Jack Woods Award recipient George A. Balakier.Kevin Culloo for the 2025 Atkinson Award-winning Corridan Funeral Home.Meara Award recipient Brady Procon.Chicopee St. Patrick’s Parade Committee.Chicopee Colleen Daiana Torres and her court on “Irish Fortune.”Chicopee Mayor John Vieau.Chicopee Police Department.Chicopee Comprehensive High School marching band.Chicopee Fire Department.Polish American String Band.Chicopee Moose Riders.The Oompa Meisters.Ms. Massachusetts Senior America 2024 Ms. Victoria Wright.James Brennan Award Recipient Linda Bushey.Northampton award recipients Max Hartley, Dana Warren, and Reagan Dunphy.Peter V Kocot Community Service Award recipient Meaghan Sullivan and Michael & Patricia Ahearn Award recipient Jay CzelusniakMolly the Irish TrolleyThe Cycling Murrays.Springfield Parade Marshal Kathy Tobin MartinJohn & Agnes Burke Award recipient Mary Bednarz.Springfield colleen Ayslin Dziedzic and her court on their float titled “Springfield’s Dr. Seuss.”Springfield Kiltie Band.John Boyle O’Reilly Club Color Guard.Claddagh School of Dance Irish step dancers.John Boyle O’Reilly Club float.Springfield Police Department Honor Guard.Springfield Fire Department Marching Unit.Grand Prize winner, the Springfield Logdge of Elks 61 float.Roller skating shamrocks.Mountain View Clydesdales.Agawam Parade Marshal Todd Arslainian.Agawam Vera A. Conway Citizenship Award Recipient Dawn DeMatteo.Agawam colleen Julia Nicosia and her court.Agawam Mayor Christopher Johnson and City Council members.Manchester Pipe Band.Agawam Fire Department lead by Chief Al Sirois.Franklin County Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff Lori Streeter & Marching UnitSouth Hadley Parade Marshal SSG Brian Willette & Family.South Hadley High School Band and Color Guard.South Hadley Fire Department.Fralinger String Band.Easthampton Parade Marshal Bill Lynch.Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle.Easthampton High School’s We The People.Easthampton Police Color Guard.Chief Christopher Norris and Easthampton Fire Department.Windy Hill Stable horses.Duffy Academy of Irish Dance.Melha Rainbow Girls.Helma Court clowns.Highlanders Band.Melha Riders.Melha Rider.A little passenger is folowed by the American Legion Post 124 Color GuardWestfield Parade Marshal Tim O’Connor and family.Westfield Mayor Mike McCabe.Patrick Kennedy leads the Westfield High School Marching Band.Thomas M. Kane Irish Man of the Year Jim LavertyDorothy Griffin Irish Woman of the Year Sally PopoliSons of Erin Marching UnitSons of Erin Women’s Auxiliary Marching UnitBilly Buzzee St. Pat on the Back Award Winning Colleen CommitteeSons of Erin colleen Jillian Cierra Battles and court on “Mike’s Wish”Sons of Erin colleen Jillian Cierra BattlesWestfield Police Department led by Chief of Police Jerome PitoniakWestfield Fire Department led by Deputy Chief Patrick KaneHuntington Fire Department led by Capt. John McVeighGranville Police Department led by Chief Rick RindelsWest Springfield High School Band.West Springfield Parade Marshal Mary Anne Flaherty.Ray DiStefano Citizenship Award recipient Pintu Chawla.Jinx Powers Award recipient Deb Heady.West Springfield Colleen Ainsley Elizabeth Kearney and her court on “The Conlin Bowler” float.West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt.West Springfield Police Department Marching Unit led by Chief Jay Gearing.West Springfield Fire Department Marching Unit led by Chief Christopher Bartone.Western Mass. Ghostbusters.St. Peter’s Drum Corps.
