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Date: 1/15/2024
HOLYOKE — The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke has selected five colleen finalist after hosting their 68th annual Colleen Pageant on Jan. 6, marking the unofficial start of Green Season in the city.
Each year the committee chooses a grand colleen who reigns with her colleen court on a majestic float over the two-mile St. Patrick’s Day Parade route. The honor represents women in the community who are proud of their Irish heritage and community, but the experience also helps them build connections, gain self-confidence and develop skills that will help in their present and future career paths.
The 2024 Holyoke colleen finalists are Amelia Frances George, Elizabeth Katherine Gourde, Hunter Rose Edwards, Natalie Belle Morris and Taryn Shaylene Ryan. Amelia Frances George was named Miss Congeniality during the pageant.
The five finalists were chosen from a group of 18 contestants, more than double last year’s total number of contestants. All finalists are aged between 19-22.
“The colleen pageant judges had the most difficult job on Saturday evening. I know that the families and friends of all the contestants are proud of their accomplishments and for taking the chance to be colleen,” said 2024 Parade President Hayley Dunn. “I’m thankful to all the contestants for helping to ensure the legacy of the Holyoke colleen lives on.”
Dunn told Reminder Publishing this year’s group for the colleen pageant exemplified the all encompassing characteristics the event looks to showcase of contestants and their pride for their heritage.
“These are very well-rounded young women and certainly they have a sense of pride for their community and Irish ancestry,” Dunn said. “They are a really great group of women and I think they’re emblematic of the pride that we have here in Holyoke and our community, and certainly of our Irish heritage.”
Dunn added it was a great event to kick off Green Season in Holyoke, the beginning of the year up until the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, this year falling on the holiday itself for the first time since 2019.
“The excitement is just building up. Everything is falling into place, and we’re just really excited for the weekend to be here,” Dunn said.
A week following the pageant was the reception to honor this year’s grand marshal, Mary Lynch, the 71st Holyoke St. Patrick’s Committee grand marshal. John F. Kennedy Award recipients are also expected to be announced in the coming weeks before February when a grand colleen will be chosen in advance of tbe the parade and road race.
Dunn said the enthusiasm has slowly started to grow with the pageant and new year showing signs the city is nearing the St. Patrick’s celebration. Dunn added the committee has been hard at work gearing up for this green season’s events and fundraisers that are a part of the annual celebration of Irish heritage.
“We’re just really excited that Green Season is finally here. There will be lots of more interesting things in terms of other award winners and events coming up so I encourage folks to check it out on our social media channels and our website of course for all information parade and road race related,” Dunn added.
The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke exemplifies an ongoing commitment to four words: God, Country, Heritage and Service. The 2024 Grand Colleen will be honored at the Grand Coronation Ball and Awards Reception on Saturday, Feb. 17.
The 71st Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 17 and the 47th St. Patrick’s Road Race will take place on Saturday, March 16. For more information on these and other upcoming Green Season events visit www.holyokestpatricksparade.com.