St. Patrick’s festivities boosts sales for local businesses in Holyoke

HOLYOKE, MA. (WGGB/WSHM) - St. Patrick’s weekend is one of the biggest celebrations of the year for Holyoke with the annual Road Race. On Sunday, the streets will be crowded again for the annual St. Patrick’s Parade.

Celebrations continued hours after the race ended that offered a boost to local businesses and people are looking forward to the fun continuing on Sunday.

High Street in Holyoke was one of the streets filled with St. Patrick’s celebrations Saturday afternoon hours after the annual Road Race.

“Being Irish and having roots in Holyoke, it means a lot having so much heritage and everything,” said Alex Goncalves, a Ludlow resident. “I had a brother and a cousin that ran in the race today and it just means a lot.”

The fun continues Sunday for the Annual St. Patrick’s Parade and could mean an extra pot of gold for local businesses on the route. Like the Unicorn Inn. General manager Damian Rivera told us they’ve been welcoming customers on parade day since the 80s when it opened.

“It’s astronomically awesome for the finances, whoever doesn’t now we’re here finds you during this weekend,” said Rivera.

But this year looks a little different after recently adding a kitchen.

“This is the first weekend with tables and chairs set up out front, or serving food outside now after this, you can come here and get food on a daily basis,” said Rivera.

Rivera explained they are glad to once again be part of the weekend that brings the paper city together.

“Holyoke is a great place, it’s a community, it’s a place where everyone can come together and do things like this. This is the heart of Holyoke,” said Rivera.

Western Mass News spoke to several locals who are just as excited for the parade.

“Bring your friends and family and everybody and get together have a good time,” said Dean Proakis, an Agawam resident.

The parade kicks off tomorrow after 11:00 a.m. Western Mass News will also be marching in the parade in green fleeces.

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