Holyoke’s grand colleen embraces tradition ahead of parade weekend

Jayden Christie (middle) with her court and Parade Grand Marshal Michael Moriarity (left) and Holyoke Parade Committee President Jim Wildman (right).
Photo credit: The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee

HOLYOKE — By becoming grand colleen on Feb. 14, Jayden Christie fulfilled a dream that she has had since childhood, when she watched past colleens go by on their floats during Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade weekend.

She specifically recalled how she always admired the colleens who visited her school. She realized, “that’s where I want to be when I grow up.” Years later, she now has the opportunity to visit the schools in Holyoke and be a role model for the next generation.

More than 350 guests filled the Log Cabin on Feb. 14 for the annual grand colleen Coronation Ball and awards night, a signature celebration marking the start of Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s season. The event honored several distinguished community members and culminated in the crowning of Christie as the 2026 grand colleen.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Christie said about being named colleen. “The audience was so loud already from the first person who had been called, the second, and then I could barely hear my name. All I heard was the number eight.”

Eight was Christie’s contestant number. Although she witnessed the person standing next to her screaming and celebrating in her ear after her name was called, it was only until Christie heard her family did the moment sink in, “All I could remember was my moms, they started screaming, and I was like, wait that’s me,” she said.

Once she stepped onto the stage, the names of her court began to be announced.

“I got to see all the girls stepping up next to me, and I was like, ‘this is a good group,’” Christie stated. “I’m so proud of the other girls who ran.” The grand colleen and her court have clicked since day one, and they can rely on one another to help deal with the busy schedule the group has had since they were honored with their roles.

Now that Christie has accomplished one of her goals, she reflected on how important it is to also honor her family throughout the St. Patrick’s Day events.

Christie is a South Hadley native and the daughter of Shannon and Messina Riley and Jeffrey Christie. She comes from a large family with nine brothers and three sisters and has strong Irish roots on her mother’s side, with ancestry from Counties Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.

She also talked about an uncle who was passionate about their Irish heritage. “I’ve carried him with me this whole time,” Christie said. She also talked highly of her grandma, whose hoops she wears in honor of her.

“It’s not just about me, it’s about my family’s Irish heritage,” Christie said. “I’m representing not only our community, but my family who’s so, so passionate about Ireland and their Irish Heritage.”

Christie graduated from South Hadley High School in 2024 with a 3.98 GPA. During her junior and senior years, she completed dual enrollment at Our Lady of the Elms College, earning 12 college credits. She was a member of the National Honor Society and a two-time recipient of the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association Student Achievement Award, which recognizes her significant contributions to her school community.

Jayden Christie reacts to officially being named the 2026 Holyoke grand colleen.
Photo credit: The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee

Besides looking forward to representing herself and her family during parade weekend and waving to all the community, Christie also shared her admiration for the newly introduced Sensory Street.

This is the first year that the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is introducing a designated sensory friendly viewing area for the 2026 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade. Once parade participants reach Appleton Street, a wind-down zone will begin at Walnut Street. The full two-block Sensory Street zone will take effect from Elm Street through Maple Street with no emergency lights or flashing lights and no sirens or amplified alarms. Bands during this portion will also play strings only. Christie shared that she participated in the Best Buddies program in High School and has a few family members with sensory issues. She talked about how this initiative will benefit those who were not previously able to attend the parade.

“Towns typically don’t go out of their way to outreach to those individuals other than in the schools and their accommodations and things like that.” Christie stated. “Holyoke is and has made an effort to make community such an important aspect in the town. Regardless of your ability, Holyoke is very passionate about making everyone feel welcomed and inclusive with everybody regardless.”

The 73rd Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade steps off on Sunday, March 22 following the 49th Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race on Saturday, March 21.