Image courtesy of Ballyshaners, Inc.
Dancers delight parade-goers at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Alexandria.
The Ballyshaners 42nd Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 1 in Old Town Alexandria. Residents and tourists are encouraged to come early to enjoy the events at one of the DC area’s finest parades. All events are free to the public.
Image courtesy of Ballyshaners Inc.
A St. Patrick's Day parade float makes its way through the streets of Alexandria.
Alexandria boasts the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the DC area. Traditionally, this parade is held the first Saturday in March, and serves to attract the finest entries. The parade normally features pipe bands, Irish dance schools, community groups and a host of other performers and entertainment.
The parade officially starts at the corner of King Street and St. Asaph Street at 12:30 p.m., with dignitaries leading the procession at 12:15 p.m. The parade proceeds east on King Street, turning North at Lee Street and West at Cameron Street, finishing at the intersection of Cameron and Pitt.
Leadership officers are:
- Chairman – Margaret (Maggie) Hayes
- Vice Chairman – Frank McCraw
- Secretary – Patrick Garrity
- Treasurer – Harold V. Sinnett
- Parade Captain – Tasha Pablo
- Lead Parade Marshal – Erin Sole
Photo courtesy of Ballyshaners, Inc.
Bagpipers make their way through the streets of Alexandria during a parade.
With thousands of spectators and participants expected, parade goers are encouraged to take advantage of public transportation. The closest Metro is the Blue Line, King Street/Old Town. There is a free trolley from the Metro, or the activities can be reached by a short 10-minute walk down King Street.
The Ballyshaners is a non-profit, non-sectarian, and non-partisan corporation organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. All members of the organization are volunteers and do not receive compensation for their participation. Our goal is to promote and preserve Irish Heritage. One way we do this is by organizing and running the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Alexandria.
The Ballyshaners is an all-volunteer organization. Our meetings are monthly from mid-March through December, and weekly January up until Parade Day. There s no fee to join. Members can be as involved as much or as little as their time allows. In addition to its leadership team, members tend to help manage our two fundraisers, or at the Irish Festival. Opportunities include gathering a few items for silent auctions, overseeing auctions, selling raffle tickets at fundraisers, or helping to make the Festival run smoothly. Others help sell ads for the Parade Program or serve as the key contact for dignitaries on Parade Day.
Sponsors include:
The Alexandrian/King & Rye/Morrison House/The Study
ALVA 871
Americans Veteran Owned
Burke & Herbert Bank
Foley Academy of Irish Dance
Murphy's Irish Pub
Kearney & Company
O'Connell's
Patient First
Rock It Grill
Shannon & Wright
Wegman's
