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Date: 3/10/2020
WESTFIELD – Sons of Erin Parade President Karen Casey said there are currently no additional contingency events planned in the wake of Mayor Alex Morse's announcement that Holyoke's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and corresponding 10K road race would be cancelled due to the threat of coronavirus (COVID-19).
"Not really," Casey said when asked if there were backup plans for festivities in Westfield. "All of this really happened between today and yesterday. I would love to do something somewhere, but there's nothing planned right now. Holyoke will still have their events, but for us, we already had our events like our Irish Night. Outside of the parade, we didn't have anything planned."
Morse made the announcement March 10 alongside city and Holyoke Parade Committee officials after a morning meeting of the Mayor’s Emergency Management Advisory Council which includes Holyoke's police and fire chiefs, members of the Board of Health, and other public safety and public health professionals. Holyoke's smaller events such as the Bishop's Mass on March 21 and the Ambassador’s Breakfast will continue as scheduled.
Morse said during his press conference that lowering or delaying the spread of the virus was a “critical tool” for local, state and federal officials. Morse added that he shared concerns with emergency responders that personal protective equipment needed for first responders for treating people were in limited supply.
"Over 400,000 people from all over the world come to Holyoke for the road race and parade and it would be irresponsible of us to carry on with these events as scheduled," he said.
Hours later, Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reporting 92 cases of COVID-19 – one confirmed and 91 presumptive positive – including seven in Berkshire County.
“We will continue planning and preparing to mitigate the spread of this disease, and have issued new guidance for Executive Branch employees in the Commonwealth. I urge employers and other large organizations to follow our example and limit or eliminate non-essential travel, limit or eliminate large events where possible, and explore telework where appropriate for your organization. We are also urging older adults and those with health issues to avoid large crowds and large events,” Baker said.
Westfield and the Sons of Erin routinely boast a large contingent in the parade, including the Colleen and her court and various award-winners, the Westfield High School marching band, the mayor and city and state officials, and the police and fire departments.
"I feel bad for everyone involved, but especially those people – our Colleens and the people who build such beautiful floats," Casey said.
The Sons of Erin's originally scheduled parade day gathering featuring music by Jimmy McArdle & Friends is still listed on the club's calendar from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Parade President Marc Joyce, who was present at the press conference, said the parade had never been cancelled to his knowledge. Casey, who also served as the first vice president for the Holyoke Parade Committee this year, told Reminder Publishing postponement was not a viable option because "we don't know how long this is going to be around."
In a prepared statment, Joyce later added, in part, "We know that there are thousands of disappointed people, none more so than the 200-plus Parade Committee members who have worked tirelessly to put on this tremendous showcase year after year and I thank them for all their hard work."
This is a developing story.
Reminder Publications Staff Writer Danielle Eaton contributed to this report.