2026 Grand Colleen Pageant Contestants Announced
Holyoke, Massachusetts – The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke is pleased to introduce the fifteen young women who will take part in the 70th annual Holyoke Grand Colleen Pageant on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Representing the communities of Easthampton, Holyoke, South Hadley, and Southampton, the contestants reflect the strong family ties, community spirit, and Irish heritage that have defined the Colleen tradition for seven decades.
The Colleen Pageant is a long-standing Holyoke tradition that celebrates young women for their commitment to community service, academic achievement, and pride in their Irish roots. Following the pageant, five contestants will be selected as the 2026 Holyoke Colleens and will continue on to compete for the title of Grand Colleen at the Coronation Ball on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Eligible applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 22 as of March 17, 2026; be single (never married and without children); reside in Easthampton, Holyoke, Southampton, or South Hadley; and be able to trace their Irish ancestry.
As part of the process, contestants complete an application highlighting their involvement in school, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, special interests, and future aspirations. On pageant day, the young women participate in personal interviews with the judges during the morning, followed by an evening program at Holyoke High School. During the pageant, each contestant is introduced to the community and takes the stage in evening wear before judges, family members, friends, and local residents.
Scores from both the interviews and the evening program are combined to select the five Colleens. In addition, the contestants themselves vote to recognize a fellow participant with the “Miss Congeniality” award, honoring the individual who best embodies kindness, support, and friendship throughout the experience.
The Holyoke Grand Colleen Pageant will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Holyoke High School (doors open at 5:30). Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 when purchased in advance online. Children 12 and under are admitted free, and all are welcome to attend and support the contestants.
Tickets can be purchased at:
holyokestpatricksparade.com/events/holyoke-grand-colleen-pageant-2
2026 Holyoke Grand Colleen Pageant Contestants:
Bridie Bowler, 22 (Holyoke)
Blythe Grace Bullock, 21 (Holyoke)
Jadyn Christie, 19 (South Hadley)
Meredith Craven, 17 (Holyoke)
Kyleigh Dorman,17 (Holyoke)
Anna Mary Evans, 22 (Holyoke)
Leia Halfacre, 18 (Easthampton)
Marion Hamel, 22 (Southampton)
Maeve Judith Healy, 17 (South Hadley)
Paige Brady Leahy, 19 (Holyoke)
Amanda Royland, 17 (Holyoke)
Olivia Rose Royland, 20 (Holyoke)
Helen Sanders, 20 (Holyoke)
Victoria Lyn Santos, 19 (Easthampton)
Caela Callahan Scanlon, 21 (Easthampton)
The Colleen Pageant is part of Holyoke’s larger St. Patrick’s season, which concludes with the 49th Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race on Saturday, March 21, 2026, followed by the 73rd Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
MORE INFO:
www.holyokestpatricksparade.com
Facebook: @HolyokeStPatsCommittee
Instagram: @holyokestpatricksparade
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