HOLYOKE – The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade is back after being canceled in 2020 and 2021.

The 69th Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade will be presented on March 20.

Marc Joyce, the president of the parade committee, told Reminder Publishing he is expecting an audience for the parade of between 250,000 and 300,000 people.

“We’re planning a full parade,” he added. Joyce said the line of march will be finalized soon.

Some participants could not make the nation’s second largest St. Patrick’s Parade – Joyce said the one in New York City is a little larger – as they elected to march in Boston’s parade which is on the same date.

Part of the planning for the parade is that it must be finished in three hours with it starting at 12 p.m. Joyce explained that WWLP 22News has three hours allotted for the parade’s broadcast. The TV station has allotted an additional half-hour if the parade runs longer, but that half-hour can only be seen through the station’s website.

He said the parade garners “exceptional viewership.”

The TV cameras will be set up at a new location and Joyce noted, “The committee and WWLP are also eager to offer our television and online viewers a different viewing experience. The sight of thousands of marchers, bands, floats and colleens as they come down the great hill of Beech Street will provide an even more spectacular shot for WWLP’s cameras.”

The parade will step off at approximately 11:10 a.m. from the former Kmart Plaza. Parade spectators who usually watch the event along Northampton Street will need to note the earlier start time.

Joyce emphasized the committee is very aware of the pandemic when planning the parade and the events leading up to it. He explained there will be social distancing built into inside events with less people at tables. Normally there would be 12 people, but this year the number is reduced to eight.

The committee is following all local and national guidance concerning masks. Joyce said that making sure people are as safe as possible is “always a challenge.”

He added, “Most people are very, very responsible.”
The following is the schedule of events leading up to parade day:

Gala, Feb. 19 at 5 to 10 p.m.

The official kick-off of the 2022 parade season. Tickets are $50 per person and business attire is recommended. Make checks payable to: Holyoke Parade Committee. Mail checks to 161 Michigan Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040.

Holyoke Parade Tartan Party, March 5 at 2 to 4 p.m., Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, 221 Appleton St.

The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke, along with PeoplesBank, will bring the spirit of the Parade and Road Race weekend to the Dobbin at the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round. Admission is $5 per person, $10 per family. Unlimited Merry-Go-Round rides, face painting, hair braiding, and Green Glitter Raffle for tartan rocking horse. Food truck by Murphy’s Mobile Beer/Wine.

Parade Fundraiser featuring Unforgettable Fire, March 5 from 6:30 to 10 p.m., The Wherehouse?, 109 Lyman St.

The committee will celebrate the 2022 parade season with a fundraiser. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Acoustic performance from Ed Jackowksi, Unforgettable Fire, starts at 8 p.m. Cash bar, raffles, food. Tickets are $20. For tickets, contact Jeff Walsh at 530-3944; mail payment to 15 Hemlock Dr., Holyoke, MA 01040 (checks can be made to Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee)

Holyoke Parade Committee Annual Chalice of Salvation Mass, March 10 at 5:30 to 7 p.m., The Chapel of the Holy Spirit, 65 Elliott St., Springfield

Arrive by 5:30 p.m. for seating. This Mass will be taped and shown on 22News’ “Chalice of Salvation” program, March 20 at 10 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.

Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Road Race, March 19 at 1 to 3 p.m.
To register, visit holyokestpatricksroadrace.org.
Annual Bishop’s Mass, March 19 at 5:30-6:30 p.m., St. Jerome’s Church, 169 Hampden St.

In attendance will be recipients for the following awards: JFK Award, Grand Marshal, Parade President, Grand Colleen & Court, Ambassador, Citizenship, Rohan, O’Connell and Gallivan. The public is welcome to attend.

JFK Award Reception, March 19 at 6 to 9 p.m., The Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Rd.

The committee will honor its 2020-2022 JFK Award recipient, David Glidden. All tickets previously purchased will be honored. Contact Sue Poulin at 427-1124 or suziearite@aol.com, or Kelsey Lecca at 347-408-8113 or kelseylecca@gmail.com, to confirm reservation and meal choice. Tickets are $65.

Ambassador’s Award Breakfast, March 20 at 8:30 to 10 a.m., Wyckoff Country Club, 233 Easthampton Rd.

The committee will honor former Mayor of Boston and current U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. Patron’s tickets are $20 or Cairde (friends) are $50. Early reservations are appreciated. Checks should be payable to St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke Inc., and mailed to Cathy McEvady, 22 Homestead Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040 (call 313-5559) or to Kathy Gallivan, 26 Lyman Terr., South Hadley, MA 01075 (call 777-8700).

In addition to the events sponsored by the committee, there are numerous other activities from other groups. The Ancient Order of Hibernians-James A. Curran Division One and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division Two of Hampden/Hampshire Counties are sponsoring a “2022 Irish Night in Holyoke-A-Go-Go-Part Two,” a curbside pickup of a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner and ribs prepared by the Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Rd. The event is March 5, with pickup 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The cultural event will benefit the Maurice A. Donahue Memorial Scholarship and is in memory of Daniel P. Curran. The meal will include corned beef and cabbage, ribs, hash, carrots, potatoes, brown bread, and dessert. The cost is $25 per person and includes the meal and one entry into our 50/50 raffle.

For reservations, contact Joe O’Connor at 627-7148 or Fran Hennessey at 785-5687 by Feb. 25. The Hibernian website is aoh-holyoke.com.