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Date: 1/4/2023
WESTFIELD — Applications are currently being accepted for the 40th annual Sons of Erin Colleen Contest for women ages 17-24 who are of Irish descent, residents of Westfield, Southwick and the surrounding Hilltowns, or daughters or granddaughters of members of the Sons of Erin. Contestants must be unmarried with no children.
The age limit was increased to 24 years old this year, because the contest has not taken place since 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, said Helen Tymeson, who has served as the chair of the Sons of Erin Colleen Committee for the past 15 years. The last colleen crowned was Brigid Moriarty in February 2020.
Tymeson said everybody in the contest will receive a Claddagh ring as a remembrance. Those selected for the court will receive the ring, a trinket box, an Irish kilt and sweater and will ride on the Sons of Erin float in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day parade. The colleen will also receive a crown and a trip for two to Ireland.
All contestants must also be available for activities throughout the colleen season. These include a breakfast meet-and-greet of the contestants on Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Sons of Erin, 22 William St., Westfield, where all the responsibilities of the colleen and court will be explained, and contestants will have their pictures taken.
Rehearsal night for the Colleen Ball is Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Sons of Erin. The two-day pageant begins Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. with formal interviews with judges at Tekoa Country Club, 459 Russell Rd., Westfield, and continues at 6 p.m. on Feb. 3 with the Sons of Erin Colleen Ball. Tymeson said the colleen candidates will be judged equally on personality, intellect, poise and appearance.
The colleen and her court will also represent Westfield in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 19, joining other colleens and their courts from Holyoke, Chicopee, Agawam, West Springfield and Springfield.
Applications are available at all area high schools, including Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy, St. Mary’s High School, Southwick Regional School, and Gateway Regional High School; at the Sons of Erin Irish Club, and online at www.sonsoferin.com.
Applications must be mailed to Sons of Erin Colleen Contest, P.O. Box 1313, Westfield, MA 01086-1313, and postmarked by Jan. 10. Late applications will not be accepted. For more information, call Tymeson at 427-8361.