HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia is set to lead a St. Patrick's parade in Ireland this year. ‘Absurd Appetites’ exhibit opens at Holyoke Community College Mayor Garcia was asked to be the grand marshal of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Tralee, Ireland on March 17th. Tralee Mayor Mikey Sheehy invited Garcia in November to participate in their St. Patrick's Day festivities. “I’m humbled but also pretty psyched,” Garcia said. “Leading a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland? How cool is that?” “Having Mayor Garcia as Grand Marshal is an honor for Tralee,” said Mayor Mikey Sheehy. “The bond between Holyoke and Ireland is deep and historic, and we’re thrilled to welcome him. This visit not only celebrates our shared heritage but also paves the way for cultural, commercial, and tourism collaborations that can benefit both communities in meaningful ways.” The city states that the host one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the United States, as they are known as the "Ireland of America." The Parade is a tradition that's rooted in the city’s history as a hub for Irish immigrants who built its canals and worked in the paper mills during the 19th century. The highest honor for the parade is actually named after President John F. Kennedy who also participated in the parade back in 1958. Kennedy's brother Teddy was a regular visitor of Holyoke as U.S. Senator. After his visit to Ireland, Mayor Garcia will then return to Holyoke for the city's annual Parade on March 23rd. You can watch the parade right here on 22News. Local News Headlines Governor Healey unveils $59 billion 2026 budget Officials approve new Springfield courthouse plans Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant to benefit local fire departments Springfield task force helps homeless population with winter resources WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.