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Date: 11/16/2022
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee hosted its annual Colleen Preliminary Contest at the Carriage House at the Barney Estate on Nov. 5. The five finalists of the Colleen Court, the parade marshal and several other award winners were announced.
Caitlyn Feeley of Palmer, Meghan Curley of Springfield, Ayden-Maeve Bradley of East Longmeadow, Nora Doyle of Wilbraham and Kiley Arsenault of Wilbraham were announced as the finalists of the Colleen Court.
At the Coronation Ball and Awards Ceremony, one of the finalists will be crowned the Springfileld Colleen. The ceremony is set to take place at Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place on Feb. 11, 2023.
“The girls will be interviewed privately by the judges and then in front of the audience. That’s when we will crown our Colleen out of the five. The other four will be her court members and all five will be on the Colleen float that will participate in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” said Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Committee President Alesia Barbaro.
The Springfield Colleen and her court will also attend several events, parties and fundraisers throughout the year.
All members of the court receive a genuine Irish wool sweater, scarf, sash and jewelry. The Colleen is also the lucky recipient of a tiara and a free trip to Ireland.
The 2023 Springfield Parade Marshal will be Michael Fenton. The marshal is someone who has distinguished themself in their chosen profession and who has contributed greatly to the Irish community of Springfield.
During the event, several awards were given out. The John and Agnes Burke Award winners are Eammon Burke and Michael Ireland. The Paul G. Caron Award winner is Siobhan Cullen and The Mary B. Troy Award winner is Nathan Bill’s Bar and Restaurant.
With the court chosen, the girls will now begin to prepare for the ball and the upcoming Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade set for March 19.
More information on the Colleen Coronation Ball and Awards Ceremony can be found at https://www.springfieldstpatricksparade.org/coronationballawards.