Parade crowds estimated at 300,000

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - The great weather was just one factor leading to what
was estimated at a crowd of three hundred thousand people.

The sun shone bright on the thousands of marchers and and
the thousands who lined the parade route.

The parade usually attracts any where from 200-to-250 thousand spectators
This year, Police Chief Anthony Scott put the estimated crowd at 300-thousand.

The sunshine and temperatures fueling the crowds.

Many feel there are a number of reasons for the swelling of the crowds along the parade route. One of those of course is the economy and the other pent up energy after an extremely cold.

People too just wanted to feel good after a winter of a sour economy.

One of the members from the Saint Patrick’s Parade Committee says” I noticed the crowds they were very thick in area's where they generally aren't and so that would indicate it was record crowd or really really close to it. And the important thing I think a lot of families were there and that I think is special.”

And just ask Terry Marion, she lives along the parade route and agrees the crowds were bigger than normal.

Terry Marion who lives along the parade route tells 22News “I thought it was larger because I walked up the street to the Yankee Pedlar and the crowd was phenomenal, like they were six deep on the hill, it looked like it was six deep.”

Parade officials are saying that if Sunday's parade crowds aren't a record breaker, it is still one of the most well attended in the parade's 58 year history.