SPRINGFIELD, MA (November 21, 2019) - While there may be over 100 days until the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on Sunday March 22, 2020, the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee has already kicked off their season and announced who will represent the city of Springfield, leading them down the streets of Holyoke on that grand day.
The 2020 Springfield Parade Marshal is Sean Cahillane. Born to parents from County Kerry, he was an easy choice given his background in community work and development. His passion for keeping the Irish culture alive was also a factor. Prior to joining The Irish Cultural Center, he served for some time as a State Representative. He was active in the Irish Cultural Center founded at the Elms College in I999, and he and a group of individuals were instrumental in acquiring The Irish Cultural Center in West Springfield which was officially opened in 2017. He now serves as President of the Irish Cultural Center and helped bring the Dingle Peninsula to the Big E. Sean resides in Springfield with his wife Mary Ellen Lowney.
The John and Agnes Burke award winner is Kerri F. Sullivan. Kerri has served the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee for close to a decade. She served as president and chairperson for the past 5 years. Most recently, stepping up to be the Holyoke parade committee liaison, which means attending both Springfield and Holyoke meetings. She has dedicated a lot of time and energy to these committees. There’s so doubt she is very proud of her Irish heritage and has been her whole life, starting from when she was a Springfield Colleen in 2003. She resides in Springfield and works as a Special Education Teacher at Glenwood Elementary School.
The Paul G. Caron award winner is Maura Troy Cournoyer. Maura has been a key player of the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade committee for over a decade. She has served on many subcommittees, most importantly the Colleen and Fundraising committees. Over the years, she has helped to raise thousands of dollars in funding for the float and ball through her annual calendar raffle. Volunteering and Irish pride run deep in her blood, as evident by her mother Mary B. Troy and her dedication to the city of Springfield and Irish heritage. Maura is Vice Principal of Brunton Elementary School in Springfield. She resides in Springfield with her husband Luke and their two children Maeve and Frankie.
The Mary B. Troy Appreciation award winner is Stephen Allen Jewelers. Accepting the award is owner Stephen Lewis, who graciously donates the jewelry for the Springfield Colleen and Court each year. Without hesitation, he stepped in to provide his services when the committee was in real need of support. He is a great friend and supporter of the committee and adds the extra sparkle to their annual Awards Presentation and Colleen Coronation ball night. Steven Allen Jewelers has been in business for over 28 years and is located on Maple Street in East Longmeadow.
“We would like to congratulate our 2020 Parade Marshal and Award Winners. They have certainly distinguished themselves in their chosen professions and have contributed greatly to the Irish and Western Mass community,” said Alesia Barbaro, President of the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee.
The 2020 Springfield Parade Marshal is someone who has distinguished themself in their chosen profession and who has contributed greatly to the Irish community of Springfield, the John & Agnes Burke Award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the Irish people of the city of Springfield, the Paul G. Caron Award is presented each year to a past or present committee member who has contributed greatly to the Greater Springfield community, and the Mary B. Troy Appreciation Award is given to a person or business that has given outstanding service to the committee.
About: The Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade committee is a non-profit organization committed to promoting and celebrating Irish heritage in Greater Springfield, including Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Hampden, Ludlow, Monson and Palmer. The committee is made up of a talented group of individuals who work tirelessly to promote and preserve the Irish heritage, culturally and socially to the best of their abilities. Annually, the committee organizes the Springfield Colleen and Court Contest and, also the Springfield contingents that participate in the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade.