Holyoke MA is a rundown, crime ridden city. It's home to the "worlds biggest Saint Patrick's Day parade" too !

Parades tend be at least somewhat bizzare. Here's a giant Leprechaun presumably sleeping it off while pretty young girls seated at the foot of his bed, wave to the crowd. Despite being the "Sons of Erin" there are no men associated with this particular float.

There are dozens of out-of-tune high school bands in the parade. Many of them are accompanied by grotesque mascots. This Ram looks like he wants to shove my camera where the sun don't shine.

This very loud float featured Polynesian dancers. What the hell is it doing in a St. Patrick's Day parade ?

The Irish tend to drink a bit and booze is everywhere along the parade route. The police ignore it. Many of the marchers stagger the length of the parade. Spectators cheer the more inebriated.

People get the hell out of Holyoke right after the parade. The city is rough shape and violent crime is the norm.

Ornate, empty buildings are everywhere. They are remnants of better times.

There are lots of old canals in Holyoke. They once powered the paper mills and floated barges. This old canal appears to be a shopping cart cemetary.