The region’s largest parade celebrating Polish heritage and commemorating General Casimir Pulaski, hero of the American Revolution and Father of the American Cavalry, will take place here on October 20. We invite you to help us bring awareness of Polish heritage to the people of our region and to our future generations. This will be the 33rd year of the parade; and they are excited to welcome back many groups who’ve marched in the past and expect to see the parade expanded with the addition of local farmers, organizations and Polish groups from throughout the New England region. 2019 marks the 240th anniversary of the death of General Casimir Pulaski, father of the American Calvary and hero of the American Revolution. Memorial Mass The day begins with a memorial Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 99 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060 at 11:00 am leading off the day’s celebration.The Parade Immediately following the Mass, the parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. from the Church and proceeds through downtown Northampton culminating at Pulaski Park with a commemorative program honoring General Casimir Pulaski, a hero of the American Revolutionary War, and father of the American Cavalry. President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution in 1929 declaring an annual Pulaski Day. The granite monument in Northampton was erected shortly after; former President and Northampton Mayor Calvin Coolidge unveiled it. This holiday is celebrated every year on Oct. 11 by Presidential Proclamation, to commemorate Pulaski’s death from wounds suffered at the Siege of Savannah on Oct. 9, 1779, and to honor the heritage of Polish Americans.