HOLYOKE - HALLOWED MARCHING GROUND
MARCH 17, 2024
It is a one-day event that takes a year to plan, a gift of love to the city from the community, a joyous celebration of heritage and pride
, an offer to venture outside and brave the elements while welcoming spring.
The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade is all of that and more. Launched in 1952, Holyoke consistently fields one of America’s largest and most beloved Irish parades, where generations of first, second and third-generation Irish Americans have marched, alongside immigrants from around the world, locals and civic leaders, priests and politicians. None of it is possible without the dedicated organizers, volunteers and sponsors who step up year after year.
The parade is a delightful pageant for school children, teenagers and families captivated by the marching bands and baton twirlers, by the greenery and the camaraderie everywhere they turn.
The 71st annual parade kicks off at noon on Sunday, March 17, 2024, which happens to fall on the Feast Day of St. Patrick himself. As always, thousands of marchers will line up and hundreds of thousands along the route will cheer them on.
There are numerous activities leading up to parade day, including a Colleen Pageant and Coronation and a Grand Marshal
Reception for Holyoke native Mary M. Lynch, the 2024 Grand Marshal (pictured right). A veteran volunteer and civic leader, Mary also had a distinguished career as Professor of Early Childhood Education at Holyoke Community College.
Other events include a wreath-laying ceremony at JFK Plaza in Holyoke to honor President John F. Kennedy, followed by a JFK Award Ceremony, a mass and a breakfast.
On Saturday, March 16, Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Road Race features a 10k run and a two-mile walk, bringing thousands of spectators to cheer on the runners.
This former mill town of immigrants is hallowed ground for generations of people from western Massachusetts and beyond, and the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade is their time to shine!