Rules

Chicopee Colleen Contest Rules & Regulations

• All applicants considered eligible must be female, single, have no children, and have never been married.

• All contestants must have resided in the City of Chicopee for at least one year (Resident students of Elms College are eligible to apply).

• Contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 20. 

• Applicants must be 17 years of age by February 1, 2026.

• Please provide a professional headshot of yourself (no selfies will be accepted). Please note: Photos become the property of the contest officials and will be used for media purposes.

• Former Colleens and Court Members are not eligible to compete.

• Applicants are required to submit a resume and current school report card or transcript, including attendance and discipline, with their application.

• All participants in the contest become eligible to apply for scholarships awarded annually by the St Patrick’s Parade Committee of Chicopee in their senior year of high school. Scholarship applications are available at www.chicopeeparadecommittee.com

• All contestants are expected to attend all events on time and dress appropriately.

• The first events required are the Irish Tea, both rehearsal dates, and the Coronation Ball. Dates are as follows:

  • An Irish Tea “Get Acquainted Social” for all contestants will be held on Sunday, February 08, 2026. Check in begins at 1:00pm at the Chicopee Portuguese American Club, 149 Exchange St, Chicopee, MA.

  • The first mandatory rehearsal will take place on Monday, February 16th, 2026 at the Chicopee Portuguese American club from 2-5pm.

  • Parents’ information session will take place following the first rehearsal on Monday, February 16th and will begin at 5:15pm.

  • Contestant Interviews will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This will begin promptly at 4pm and will take place at the Chicopee Portuguese American Club.

  • A second mandatory rehearsal will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, also at the Chicopee Portuguese American club. Time to be determined.

  • The Colleen Coronation Ball will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Chicopee Portuguese American Club. All contestants are required to arrive no later than 4pm with their hair and make-up done.

• Please note that if you are selected to be on the Court, we are a year-round committee. You will be expected to attend multiple events throughout the year. 

• Applicants and their parent/guardian will be required to sign a letter of commitment detailing the events that will be required of the contestants and the finalists. The Colleen and Court have specific uniform items that will need to be purchased, but the Committee will provide a white turtleneck, scarf, Irish sweater, and sash.

The completed application, photo, and resume should be emailed to chicopeecolleens@gmail.com, denisenoble623@gmail.com and nicolemendes713@gmail.com

Entries must be submitted electronically by Friday, February 6, 2026.