The steeplechase originated in Ireland in the 18th century as an equivalent to a cross-country thoroughbred horse race which went from church steeple to church steeple. The float will feature the Agawam colleen and her court as part of the grandstand watching the leprechauns in the steeplechase.
The Agawam High School band marches in the 2012 Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade
This won’t be just any steeplechase: This will be the Leprechaun Steeplechase.
That’s the theme of the Agawam float for the annual St. Patrick’s Parade in Holyoke.
“We had to determine whether we wanted to be serious about it or put a little humor and fun into it,” said Timothy P. McGrew, float committee chair. “It’s leaning more toward the fun side…. Leprechauns do all kinds of crazy things.”
The steeplechase originated in Ireland in the 18th century as an equivalent to a cross-country thoroughbred horse race which went from church steeple to church steeple.
The float will feature the Agawam colleen and her court as part of the grandstand watching the leprechauns in the steeplechase.
McGrew said the float is “truly a community project” with members of several service organizations getting involved. “People have really come together.”
Besides members of the float committee who will march with their creation, a host of other Agawam representatives will make their way along the parade route. They include the Agawam High School Band, Agawam Mayor Richard A. Cohen, members of the Agawam Fire Department, senior center members and the colleen and her court.
This year’s colleen is Paige Circosta, a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society at Agawam High School. Her court is made up of Carolyn Donahue, Alycia Rackliffe, Faith Rheault and Kelsey Williams. All are seniors at the high school.
In addition there is an entry from Six Flags New England in Agawam.
The Rev. John Brennan, chaplain of the Agawam contingent and pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Agawam, is the parade marshal.
The Anne Sullivan Award winner is former State Rep. Rosemary Sandlin.
In 2002 the Anne Sullivan Award was established; it is presented to a female member of the committee who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, contributing to the progress of the group. Anne Sullivan, daughter of Irish immigrants and a native of the Feeding Hills section of Agawam who was born in 1866 and became the teacher of Helen Keller.
The Citizenship Award was created in 2005 to honor a member of the community, not a member of the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee, who has contributed to the Town of Agawam. This year’s winner is Emile Cote.
The winner of the William Pfau Cultural Award essay contest is Alycia D. Rackliffe. The topic of the essay was a person of Irish descent in the writer’s life who made the greatest impact.
She wrote about her grandfather, Richard Rackliffe, who as an electrical engineer at United Technologies had a large role in designing the breathing and temperature controls for Apollo 11 astronauts’ backpacks.
“After interviewing my grandfather, I was speechless from all he accomplished in his lifetime and how someone close to me could have such a role in the historical landing of Apollo 11,” she commented later. “I was just happy I could pay tribute to my grandfather for all the important work he has done.”
This is the 13th year an Agawam Contingent has marched in the parade.
“I love the music, the floats, the people and the onlookers,” said Rita Moore, publicity chair for the committee and a past committee president, marshal and Anne Sullivan Award winner. “They enjoy the parade so much it’s fun for us to see them having such a good time.”