by Laurel | March 18th, 2012
16 March 1952
For the first time in nearly a half century, Irish-American organizations in this city will sponsor a St. Patrick’s Day parade and regardless of weather conditions, some 2000 marchers and 122 musical units will pay tribute Sunday to the patron saint.
Parade Route
William C. Lunney, general chairman, stressed that the parade will begin promptly at 2, starting from the Ward 6 section of High St., proceeding south to Lyman St., west to Chestnut St., south to Appleton St., east to Maple St., and South to Jackson St. where the column will disband.
Parade Marshall will be Thomas F. Rohan, retired probation officer and an authority on Gaelic history. A contingent of state police will join a strong representation from the local law-enforcing agency and several platoons from the Fire Department in the line of march. Through the cooperation of Chicopee authorities, 20 members of the auxiliary police of that city will assist the local auxiliary force in policing the parade route.
The municipal government will march and local representative to the General Court will step behind this delegation. Several floats will add color to the gala celebration, and units from each parish will swell the ranks of marchers. There will also be a large contribution from all French-speaking organization, who will march as a unit behind the Precious Blood Drum Corps.
One of the highlights of the parade will be the appearance of the Kiltie Band from the Holyoke Caledonians who will pace the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Brian Boru Club. The Westover Air Force Band will lead the marchers, and other musical units are the St. Jerome’s Drum Corps, All-Holyoke Corps, Lyman Terrace Corps, Precious Blood Corps, The Trumpeteer Corps, Charter Oaks from Hartford, Powers Star Harmony from Millbury, Brightside Band, Holyoke City Band, Cathedral High School Band, Chicopee High School Band, South Hadley High School Band and the Holyoke High School Band.
Adapted from The Springfield Republican.
