WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Need a soda? Talk to Coca-Cola. Tips on weird space travel? Try "Rick and Morty." But when it comes to parades, Holyoke can roll out of bed and march.
"It's not my first time doing it and it's fun," said Angel Torres, 17, trumpet player in the Holyoke High School band. "What I think about it is, it's not a competition. I just play the music and there you go."
Holyoke, famous for decades of the annual St. Patrick's Parade, was well represented on Tuesday on Holyoke Day at the Big E with marchers in the 17-day fair's daily parade.
"We brought two busloads. We've got Paper City Basketball Club and bunch of the youth football players and the cheerleaders. So we've got 91 people," City Councilor Michael J. Sullivan said.
This is the sixth year a Salute to Holyoke Day has been held at the Big E. Ward 3 Councilor David K. Bartley pitched the idea of a Paper City celebration to Eugene J. Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, where the fair takes place at 1305 Memorial Ave.
"I requested a day for Holyoke from Gene Cassidy. He agreed straight away," Bartley said.
"Holyoke showcased its diversity and its positive energy. Lots of smiles, too. It continues to be a great day," Bartley said.
"This is a great opportunity for the city to showcase what we have to offer to a more regional audience," Mayor Alex B. Morse said.
"It's a great event for our community and it puts on a show," said Anthony Soto, 15, snare drum player in the Holyoke High School band.
So marching past the pen of camels, who seemed to be intrigued by the hoopla, and just ahead of the Clydesdales and the car carrying Danny Devito and Don Rickles look-alikes, the Holyoke contingent in the parade included City Council and School Committee members, other elected and appointed officials, police, firefighters, the Holyoke Auxiliary Police Division, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and others.