Agawam’s 2025 colleen, Julia Nicosia (second from right), is flanked by members of her court, Teagan Fullam (far left), Samantha Machos (second from left) and Abigail Drumm following her coronation this past February at the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee’s annual coronation event.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
AGAWAM — Julia Nicosia, Agawam’s 2025 colleen, had dreamed of becoming a colleen and doing the princess wave while riding on a float in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s parade ever since she was a young girl.
Nicosia’s reign will soon be ending — and that means other young women from Agawam who have dreamed about being crowned colleen now have an opportunity to make their dream a reality.
If you aspire to represent Agawam and your Irish heritage in the 2026 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, you could be eligible to enter the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee’s annual colleen pageant competition to select the 2026 colleen and her court.
The committee is encouraging single women of Irish descent between the ages of 17 and 22 who live in Agawam or Feeding Hills to complete and submit an application. The deadline is Dec. 20. An application is available online at tinyurl.com/prv4637m.
After printing and completing the application, submit it along with a resume and a wallet-sized portrait photo. Each applicant will become a colleen contestant. All will be invited to an informational meeting at the Agawam Public Library Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. to learn more about the colleen selection process.
An applicant’s commitment to their Irish heritage is an important factor in the colleen selection process. The colleen will be required to attend numerous events and functions throughout the year, including the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade and the Agawam Memorial Day Parade.
Applicants will be contacted once their application has been received. Email Abaigeal “Abbie” Fiore, committee president and “Colleen Mom,” with any questions about the application process: agawamstpatricks317@gmail.com.
“It’s an exciting experience, as well as a great honor to be selected as colleen or a member of her court,” said Fiore. “Our colleen pageant promotes a sense of spirit in the Irish community and Irish awareness for all.”
A panel of independent judges — not members of the committee — will select the colleen and her court at the coronation event. The 2026 coronation — the committee’s 24th — will take place on the evening of Feb. 7 at St. Anne’s Country Club in Feeding Hills.
The coronation marks the start of “Irish Season,” an approximately six-week period filled with Irish events and celebrations. It ends in March with the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, which in 2026 is March 21.
“We’re very excited this year to be building a new fun-filled float for the colleen and her court,” said Fiore. “Last year’s theme of ‘Rockin’ with the Colleen, an Irish Musical Journey,’ was such a wonderful way to bring back our float building team from several years of hiatus. This year’s theme will be just as fun and will come with another engaging soundtrack that will resonate along the parade route.”
In addition to building a float for the parade, Fiore said the committee is filling the Irish season with some new events and experiences as well as continuing to host some of its traditional events.
“The committee invites and encourages people who are interested in being involved with some of these events to celebrate the season with us. We offer a variety of family friendly events for all ages to enjoy. New members to the committee are always welcome. Our monthly meetings are the second Thursday, starting at 6 p.m. at the town library.”
The Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee was established more than 20 years ago when its founders “mustered their collective Irish pride” to borrow from the city of Holyoke to produce their own Irish Season, said Fiore. “We love being Irish in Agawam. We now have a history of colleens who honor our town, our history and our people. We truly have an Irish pride and culture to call our own.”
In addition to Fiore, other members of the committee include Douglas Reed, past president; Kris Sills, vice president; Nikolas Fiore, treasurer; Dawn DeMatteo, clerk; Tim McGrew and Todd Arsalanian, directors.
Nicosia, one of four 2025 colleen contenders, said entering the competition was her “last chance” to become a colleen. “At 22, I was the oldest you can be to be a colleen. So, I had one shot — and I guess I did a good job.”
Becoming colleen, she added, shows that “no matter your age, you shouldn’t be afraid to do something. Even if you think that you’re a little too old for it, you should always just try and see. You never know. You might be surprised by the end results, like I was.”
