History of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade

you and like she mentioned the 2024 Holy Oak St Patrick's parade is stepping off this morning at 11:10 from the Kmart Plaza in hoolio 22 News anchor Rich teder takes a look at the history of this longtime Western Massachusetts tradition drawing on the Irish heritage of hoyo in its earliest days known as Ireland Parish the inaugural St Patrick's parade was hosted on March 16th 1952 with 25,000 people watching along the parade route that number grew to 100,000 by 1960 200,000 by 1975 and reached a peak of over 400,000 in 2011 the hoyo St Patrick's parade showcases prize-winning floats and Championship bands from the Northeast musical units include International bands High School bands and the fame Philadelphia M string bands an annual favorite since [Music] 1967 beginning in 1955 a grand Colleen in her court has reigned over the annual Parade from a Majestic float that carries them along the nearly 3 Mile Parade route other local cities also elect their own colines and courts and are also represented by police fire and [Music] dignitaries from those modest Beginnings the annual parade has grown into one of the Premier outdoor events in the Northeast coupled with the St Patrick's road race held annually the day before the parade the hoyo St Patrick's parade has an economic impact that that is in excess of $20 million 22 News is proud to broadcast the 71st annual hoyo St Patrick's parade with the sights and sounds of what always seems like the last step Sound of Winter on the way to Spring I'm rich teder 22 News