Northampton has been a participant in the annual St. Patrick’s Parade every year since it began in 1952, and for Brian J. O’Connor, Northampton Parade Marshal, returning to Holyoke for parade weekend is a lot like “hanging out with 400,000 of my closest Irish friends.”
“We always look forward to the friendly crowds that welcome and cheer for Northampton as we march by,” said O’Connor, who has been a member of the Northampton St. Patrick’s Association for 40 years. “Certain house parties will come out and hug or high five us.”
Northampton does not host an annual colleen contest, but continues to spread Irish culture through its annual awards program.
