Senator John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie march in the 1958 Parade. Click here for our interactive timeline and more Parade history.

It started as simply talk among the late Francis “Red” Walsh and friends about his dream of organizing a tribute to Saint Patrick; but, in March of 1952, that dream became a reality when the first Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and its marchers stepped off.  Since then, the Parade has grown to become the second largest St. Patrick’s Parade in the nation – second only to New York City’s annual event.   

Coordinated by a dedicated group of Parade Committee volunteers who work year-round to produce the event, the Parade boasts nearly 40,000 marchers, 30 floats and 40 bands traveling the 2.6-mile route throughout the City of Holyoke and attracts over one million viewers both on the street and in front of their television sets.  With the Irish, French, Polish, Italian, African-American, Russian, Puerto Rican, and other nationalities coming together, the Parade not only celebrates St. Patrick but celebrates the diversity of Holyoke and Western New England.

Click here to view the history of the official Holyoke St. Patrick's Tartan

These prestigious participants have not only given of their time and energy to the Parade but give of themselves to the people and children of Holyoke – the higher purpose of the Parade Committee.  Astronaut Lt. Col. Cady Coleman visited military veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers Home and joined a sixth-grade class at an inner-city school to talk about space travel.  Author Frank McCourt visited the local High School and met with its Creative Writing class.  The Parade’s Grand Colleen and her Court represent the City at area events and visiting bands, including the Philadelphia Mummers, perform at local nursing homes.

The Parade Committee volunteers go beyond just simply producing what the U.S. Library of Congress designated a Local Legacy; they make a difference in their communities.  Through its scholarship program, community involvement and recognition of local and national leaders for their involvement, the volunteers ensure that culture, history, heritage and a sense of community lives on in Holyoke and throughout Western New England.

In 1976, the Parade Committee expanded its celebration with the inaugural 10K Road Race, won by premier runner Bill Rodgers.  Today, the race attracts over 3,000 runners from across the world, many using it as a tune-up for the Boston Marathon.