Springfield Irish flag-raising ceremony draws crowd, good cheer to City Hall steps

Comedian sums up the flegs in NI

SPRINGFIELD -- All the signs of St. Patrick"s Day were visible at City Hall on Thursday including the Springfield colleen and her court, bagpiper David Kane, and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, going by his once-a-year name of "O"Sarno."

They were of the crowd that attended the annual St. Patrick"s Day Irish flag-raising ceremony outside City Hall, presented by the Springfield St. Patrick"s Parade Committee and Sarno.

Abigail Laughlin, the 2016 Springfield colleen, said she and her court take great pride in their Irish heritage, and are excited to be taking part in Sunday"s St. Patrick"s parade in Holyoke.

"It"s honestly such an honor to be here, representing both the city of Springfield and my Irish Heritage," said Laughlin, 18, a student at East Longmeadow High School."It"s something I am just so proud of and it"s really a dream come true to be able to represent Springfield in this way."

It has been a very busy St. Patrick"s Day season "but it"s been so much fun, more fun than I ever could have imagined," Laughlin said.

Sarno praised the winners of the St. Patrick"s Day Parade Committee"s 2016 awards, all present for the flag raising who "give and give and give every day, never looking for any type of accolades."

Also present at Thursday"s event were family members of the late Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan. Sullivan was chosen by the committee as its honorary parade marshal,

Many local and state elected officials were present.

Sarno and Laughlin raised the flag outside the Municipal Group buildings.

Sarno also issued a proclamation that stated in part that "the Irish American community has always and shall continue to be a great contributor to the well-being and betterment of our city through persistence in establishing homes and businesses, as well as sharing culture and history."

Parade Committee President Kerri Sullivan introduced the various award winners and others in attendance.

Source: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/springfield_irish_flag-raising.html