Latest news with #MoiraReardon
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thousands of runners take their mark for the 48th annual St. Patrick's Road Race
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The highly anticipated Parade Weekend is finally here! Earlier on Saturday thousands of runners made their way to the corner of Lyman and Maple Streets for the 48th Annual St. Patrick's Road Race. A sea of people could be seen gearing up to tackle the 48th annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Road race. It marks the beginning of a spirited weekend here in the city, where the streets are flooded green, and Irish music rings on. 'No matter if you're Irish or not, everybody's Irish this weekend,' expressed 2025 Grand Colleen Moira Reardon. Each year the road race brings 7000 runners from all over the world right here to downtown Holyoke. Everyone is decked out in green with their running sneakers laced up and ready to go. But, before the big 10k run, the shorter and more family-friendly kids fun run kicked off the everyone was able to get their taste of excitement. Many area children were excited to just be outside and running in the festivities. It may be the biggest running event in western Massachusetts, but it's the tradition of race day, the cheering, the outfits, and the block parties, that make this race unlike any other in the region. 'People in the neighborhoods just like really throw on a party and it like amps you up, and keeps going,' said Ray Michaud of East Windsor, Connecticut, 'Even with the long hills you just want to push through and have fun, and it's a party.' It's that tradition that the St. Patrick's Committee hope shines through year after year. The 2025 St. Patrick's Road Race Director, Brian Donoghue told 22News that bringing a smile to peoples faces is just one reason they put on the race every year, 'Even tonight, you look through social media, and all you see is pictures of people having fun. You know it's why we're here. It's why we do this.' And, whether runners have taken to the hills of Holyoke for this 6.2 mile race before, or giving it a try for the first time, there's no question race day sets the right tone for Sunday's much-anticipated parade. Gianna, Angela, and Katie, a few of the runners said they're ready to run, no matter the challenge, 'We're ready to run. And the faster you get to run, the faster you get to have fun.' And if you can't make it down to the parade in person, you can watch it on 22News starting at noon. Find 22News on , , and ; send your news tips to . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Holyoke Colleens visit school ahead of parade
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – As the celebration of Irish culture continues, the Colleens visited the Blessed Sacrament School in Holyoke Thursday afternoon. Each girl was able to talk to the students and get them excited for the festivities this weekend, this year's Grand Colleen, Moira Reardon, was able to pass the crown down to a future colleen. She told 22News that the future Colleen is chosen by a submission of essays. Then the Colleens choose which one stood out the most. We spoke with Moira about her time as a grand colleen so far this parade season, 'Being able to represent my family, my community of Holyoke, and my Irish heritage. It's so special,' she says. 'The girls are all great and there just making this the best experience I could ask for.' Moira was also a student at Blessed Sacrament School and competed to be a future Colleen almost 10 years ago. She says that this moment was a very full circle moment for her. The Saint Patrick's Parade kicks off at 11:10 Sunday morning and we will have full coverage on 22News starting at noon. 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
23-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
White Hut holds fundraiser for Saint Patrick's Committee of Holyoke
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – As Saint Patrick's Day approaches, the Saint Patrick's Committee of Holyoke is partnering with local businesses to raise funds ahead of the big day. Local residents showed up to enjoy burgers, fries and a shake alongside members of the Holyoke Saint Patrick's Committee at White Hut on Saturday to raise money for this year's parade. White Hut in Holyoke is holding a special fundraiser for the committee's 2025 Colleens. Twenty percent of all in-person sales will go to the Colleen Patron Fund to help them celebrate this cherished tradition in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day. MassDOT launches billboard design contest for Mass. college students The Colleen pageant and selection dates back to the 1950s, honoring a young woman of Irish ancestry for her spirit, poise, and connection to her community. 'It's such a great way to represent not only your heritage but your community as well,' said Moira Reardon, 2025 Grand Colleen. 'Being a young woman, it's such a great way to help lift each other up and celebrate everything that we've all done for our communities and ourselves.' Serving as the Grand Colleen and marching in the parade is an honor that needs the whole community behind it. One St. Patrick's Committee member told 22News that this year brought unprecedented difficulties when it came to budgeting. 'It takes a lot to run this parade,' committee member Kate Caligaris said. 'And so the Colleens were one of the areas that took a hit, and we reached out to some of our Colleen alumni and they came through tenfold.' These alumni are members of the Yee family, who own White Hut, and they were quick to collaborate to support the cause. 'The Saint Patrick's Day Committee does so much for the city of Holyoke,' said Nate Yee, Director of Hospitality at the Bean Restaurant Group. 'So any time we can get involved with the community, that's definitely what we're looking forward to do.' The 72nd Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade will be held on March 23, and it will be available to watch on 22News. 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.
