HOLYOKE — The city’s most enduring tradition — and its biggest economic generator — is back for a 74th year as the St. Patrick’s Day Road Race and Parade are set to step off this weekend.
On Saturday, some 6,000 runners and 600 walkers will come together for a 10K run around the city, a route that includes views of downtown, small neighborhoods and passing by the Holyoke Veterans Home which is still under construction.
Then on Sunday, the city will make room for at least 200,000 to 300,000 paradegoers, featuring bands and entertainment from across the country.
“And the weather is going in our favor,” said Parade President Jim Wildman. As of Wednesday, forecasts are predicting an overcast weekend with temperatures in the mid-50s.
According to Wildman, the annual deluge of people into the Paper City for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations brings with them $22 million to the region for hotels, tourism and food.
“The parade is a matter of Irish heritage and sharing it with people, keeping our Irish heritage alive and putting on a family-friendly and fun event,” said Wildman.
And this year’s parade will be more family friendly than ever before.
Outside the Holyoke War Memorial on Appleton Street will be a designated space for families who want a calmer parade experience. The space has been coined, “Sensory Street,” where the parade can be viewed but with reduced noise and sensory stimulation, and is a first in the parade’s history.
Total costs to put on the parade are $350,000, and Wildman said that there was a slight increase in expenses for music and transportation, but inflation has not proven to be as bad as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The itinerary
Kids will line up Saturday for a fun run that will kick off the weekend. They will line up at 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of Hampden and Walnut streets and start racing at 11 a.m.
A road race kickoff celebration will feature entertainment and begin at 11:45 a.m. at the intersection of Maple and Hampden streets. The 2026 John F. Kennedy National Award recipient, Chief Jim McDonnell, will also be introduced.
Then at 1 p.m. runners will be on their way for the 49th annual Road Race, which lines up at the intersection of Maple and Lyman streets.
In keeping with tradition, a wreath-laying ceremony will occur at the John F. Kennedy Memorial plaza, located at the intersection of Appleton and Sycamore streets.
Rev. William Byrne, the Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, will celebrate Mass at 5 p.m. in St. Jerome’s Church at 169 Hampden St.
The John F. Kennedy Award reception will run from 5:30 through 10 p.m. at The Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road.
Festivities will resume early on Sunday morning with the Ambassador’s Breakfast, which will be held at the Wyckoff Country Club, 233 Easthampton Road. The breakfast will honor the 2026 Ambassador Award winner, Katie Taylor.
By 8:45 a.m. the parade will begin to assemble at the Kmart Plaza, 2211 Northampton St. The parade will step off at 11:10 a.m., with live parade coverage on WWLP 22 News beginning at noon.
Public safety
Multiple law enforcement agencies will have oversight of the parade, and Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan issued a list of things not to do ahead of the events.
In a Facebook post, Keenan said that backpacks are strongly discouraged. “In the interest of public safety, any unattended bags may be searched and removed,” said Keenan.
Couches are not allowed to be used as space savers along the parade route, drones are banned and “BORGs” will not be allowed. “If individuals plan to bring gallon jugs filled with alcohol, commonly known as BORGs, they will be confiscated,” said Keenan.
Beginning Friday at 4:30 p.m., the festivities also bring with them road closures and parking restrictions, especially in the downtown area, that will be in effect for a majority of the weekend.