Latest news with #ParadeWeekend
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
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Holyoke bars compete to fund St. Patricks Parade
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – As St. Patrick's Day gets closer, so do annual celebrations in the City of Holyoke. Friday night, The St. Patrick`s Committee of Holyoke held their 5th annual Battle of the Bars bartending event at the Holyoke Knight of Columbus; an event to help raise money for parade day. The popular event helps to raise money for the Committee to offset the costs of the bands and entertainment on Parade Weekend. Bartenders battled each other to see who could raise the most tips for donations. Sponsorship Co-Chair for the Committee Kelly McGiverin told 22News, 'There are hundreds of volunteers, that all have jobs and families and dedicate their hours that go year round to put it on. These events are fun, but they help us get everything to be the best parade and road race for everyone.' Some of the bartenders included staff from Donovans Irish Pub, Pic's Pub & Pizzeria, and the Halfway House. The Holyoke's st. Patrick's parade is Sunday, March 23. The road will take place the day before. You can watch the parade right here 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.
