Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Chief of staff Tom Ashe joined with Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, and Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi as well as the Springfield Police and Fire Department contingents to march in the 70th annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday.
Mayor Sarno states, “Irish eyes are smiling! It was wonderful to once again march in the annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and enjoy all the celebrations that follow. I am always honored and proud to march with our Springfield Police Department. The warm and positive atmosphere throughout Holyoke kept us warm on a chilly day. Thank you to all who made this 70th annual parade another success. Sláinte!”
The entire Springfield contingent was led by our 2023 Springfield Parade Marshal City Councilor Attorney Michael Fenton. The 2023 Springfield Colleen Caitlyn Feeley and her court rode atop the Springfield float with the theme “Books are worth their weight in gold.” The float is a tribute to Irish authors and the value of education and Springfield being home to many scholars and educational institutions. Students in the carpentry shop at Putnam Vocational High School built the float under the direction of David Stevens. Central High School Air Force ROTC, the Springfield International Charter School Cheerleaders, and the High School of Commerce Junior ROTC all participated in marching through Holyoke.
The Springfield Kiltie Band performed traditional music while marching and all of the 2023 Springfield St. Patrick’s Committee Award winners also marched proudly including John & Agnes Burke Awardees Eamonn Burke and Michael Ireland, Paul G. Caron Awardee Siobhan Cullen, Mary B. Troy Appreciation Awardees Nathan Bill’s Bar and Restaurant. Boomer from our Springfield Thunderbirds joined to march along with MGM President and CEO Chris Kelley, MGM Vice President Gus Kim, and MGM Director of Community Affairs Beth Ward.
The John Boyle O’Reilly Club displayed their float “A Day at the Pub” and members marched along with JBO Irish Person of the Year Susan Forys, JBO Volunteer of the Year Steven Bennett, John JBO Membership-President Patricia Devine. Dancers from the Claddagh School of Dance-Irish Step Dance and Black Rose School of Dance both marched and step-danced along the way. The Springfield Lodge of Elks # 61 also displayed their duck boar float and marched along with the 2023 Irish Elk of Year Michael Fitzgerald.
Congressman Richard Neal marched alongside the U.S. ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin, as well as Tánaiste Michael Martin, the Irish minister of foreign affairs. Former Springfield Veteran of the Year Bernard McClusky and Springfield City Councilors Jesse Lederman, Tim Allen, Justin Hurst and School Committee member Denise Hurst also joined.
