WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – There’s just two weeks left until the 70th Annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade and local communities are getting excited.

The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke, the Westfield Parade Committee, and the Sons of Erin collaborated for the annual Colleen Gathering at the East Mountain Country Club in Westfield on Sunday. Tickets were just $25 dollars, and the festivities started around 2 P.M.

The annual Colleen Gathering is a chance for the Colleens from each of the cities and
towns in the area to meet and to have fun, according to a news release sent to 22News from the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke.

“It’s always fun to see the girls meet each other and get together. They dance, they have a great time, so the more people the merrier,” expressed Holyoke Parade Committee President, Karen Casey.

Westfield Parade Committee member Maura Hurley told 22News, “Our Irish heritage is important, you know, and bringing in the new generation each year is just very valuable in continuing that Irish heritage.”

The 70th St. Patrick’s Parade will be held on Sunday, March 19, and the 46th St. Patrick’s
Road Race will be held on Saturday, March 18.