Latest news with #HolyokeSt.Patrick'sParade
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Winners announced for Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade, Road Race
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The 72nd annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade and the 48th annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Road Race have come and gone however, some winners have been crowned. Photos include pet night with the Holyoke Mall Easter Bunny On March 22nd, over 6,000 runners laced up for the St. Patrick's Road Race, which featured a 2-mile walk and a 10K course winding up and down through the city with live music, thousands of cheering fans, and spirit along the way. Proceeds from the race went to the St. Patrick's Committee of Holyoke to support this year's events and beyond. In the 10K race men's division, Samuel Whittaker of Salem, CT took first place with a time of 31:24. Alex Corbett came in second, crossing the line at 31:4,7 followed closely by Nate Fondakowski in 32:02. In the women's 10K division, Angelia Rafter of Glastonbury, CT, finished with a time of 34:14, securing first place. Brook Morabito and Sarah Flynn rounded outthe podium with times of 34:39 and 35:49. On March 23rd, 350,000 spectators gathered to enjoy the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade's Irish spirit, dazzling floats, and energetic marching bands. One of the highlights of the events is the display of themed floats, and each competes for top honors. The Grand Prize this year was awarded to the Springfield Elks #61 for their 50 Years of Jaws theme. The Best Colleen Float was awarded to the West Springfield 'Conlin Bower,' which showcased a giant leprechaun and a rainbow wrapping around the Colleens. First prize in the Irish Theme went to Chicopee for their 'Irish Fourtune' Colleen float, the second prize was presented to Agawam for their 'Rocking with the Colleen' float, and the third prize was to Westfield for 'Mike's Wish' Colleen float. South Hadley won first in the Patriotic Theme for 'Service, Remembering Sacrafice', adisplay that honored military service. First prize in the Open Theme went to UnitedHorizons 'Friend for Down Syndrome', followed by Jericho's 'There is No Place Like Jericho'Wizard of Oz theme. Third place in the Open Theme went to Holyoke High School South's DeanTech Campus for 'Dean Tech CTE,' for representing the various programs at the school. The Ancient Order of the Hibernians' 'St. Brigid's Float,' taking home the First prize in the Religious Theme. The Most Outstanding Unit in the Line of March was given to the Tian Guo band. Worcester Kiltie won Best Pipe Band, and McGann marching band won Best Brass Band. The Best String Band award went to the Mummers group, the Aqua String Band. Best Band Captain was given to the Holyoke Caledonians and Westfield High School and brought home the trophy for Best High School Marching Band. The Connecticut Hurricanes won Best Drum & Bugle Corps, with St. Peter's Drum Corp. taking home Best Flag Corps. The Best Drumline was given to Brooklyn United, and South Hadley High School celebrated winning Best Major/Majorette. Lastly, the Westfield High School marching band won the People's Choice Award. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunderbirds host post-parade party following St. Patrick's festivities
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Hundreds of people who celebrated their Irish roots last weekend gathered at the Thunderbirds game Saturday night to keep the green season going. It was a night filled with Irish spirit, hockey, and people who love the city of Springfield. The Springfield Thunderbirds hosted a post-parade party, ensuring the Saint Patrick's celebrations continued. Experts share tips at Western Mass Home and Garden Show The party was hosted at Saturday's game as the Thunderbirds took on the Iowa Wild. 'We marched in the parade, we've been going to the parade for many years,' said Tina Harkness of the Springfield Kiltie Band. Annually, the Holyoke St. Patrick's festivities bring in around $20 million to local businesses and organizations. The Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade committee members, their families, and the Colleens were among those who gathered to enjoy hockey and share their spirit with the community. 'We definitely celebrated,' said Sheila Gould of Chicopee. 'I was Holyoke's 50th Grand Colleen about 21 years ago, so we're still really involved.' The Springfield Kiltie Band said it needs pipers and drummers, and that no experience is needed. Those who love Celtic music are encouraged to reach out. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How this Holyoke small business was impacted by St. Patrick's Parade
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Parade weekend brought thousands of people to the city of Holyoke. Camellia's, a cafe in the downtown area, faced many ups and downs throughout the celebrations. The owner opened her business a year ago. Some of the challenges she faced this weekend included road closures and no parking, which made it hard for people to visit her cafe on Friday and Saturday. However, Camellia's is hard to miss as it's the only pink building in the downtown area, easily attracting those who walk by. 'Sunday morning was busier for us because people were out and about. They came in to have breakfast and then went out to the parade,' owner Cristina Gonzales told 22News. PHOTOS: Views from 72nd annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade Some of the local favorites that they ordered this past weekend included Camellia's cheesecake strawberry french toast, Guatemalan coffee, or chicken and waffles. Cristina acknowledges that being a small business owner comes with many challenges as she was the only one working in the kitchen on Monday. She hopes people will continue to come out to Holyoke beyond the parade and support small businesses. Camellia's is located at 116 High Street in Holyoke and is open daily until 3 p.m. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Post-parade festivities continue at Nathan Bill's Bar and Restaurant in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – As the last group of marchers wrapped up the St. Patrick's Parade in Holyoke, the crowd headed off to their favorite Irish pubs to celebrate the last bit of St. Patrick's Day left. 72nd annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade march lineup At 5:00 p.m. Sunday evening, Nathan Bill's Bar and Restaurant was packed. Some of the people there got to the parade between 8-10am earlier that day. There is only one way to close out this Irish weekend. 'This, a lot of camaraderie. I'm not even Irish and it's awesome,' said Donna Valletti of Springfield. 'Care-free, just having fun, everyone's having a good time,' shared Scott Megazzini of Springfield. Post-parade festivities are a tradition for many locals. First responders from across the region were also taking part, as parade weekend is known to be a homecoming. Whether it was the live band at Nathan Bill's or their shamrock martini's, quality time is what drew all of these people to celebrate one last hoorah. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local businesses booming after Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – View Street Tavern in Chicopee was packed with people Sunday following the 72nd Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade. Post-parade festivities continue at Nathan Bill's Bar and Restaurant in Springfield Frequent customers, first-timers and those in the area were among many who wanted to continue celebrating their Irish roots after the Parade. Annually, the parade-themed celebrations generate $20 million dollars for local businesses and organizations. 'It's good foot traffic you know. People are looking to experience good food, good drinks and we also put Trailer Trash, the band, out there tonight to giveback to the community and the people that come here' says Ed Nunes, Owner of View Street Tavern in Chicopee. In Chicopee, the View Street Tavern has become a staple post Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade. The Tavern, bringing in locals favorite band, all to ensure those who choose to celebrate can cherish their Irish roots all night long, which promotes sales and boosts the tavern's popularity. To learn more about View Street Tavern, click here. 'We're local and we just love to come here to celebrate our Irish heritage' says Sharon Shapiro of Chicopee. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
