Written by: Jessica Kronzer
On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish and, luckily, the D.C. area has a number of ways to celebrate the holiday.
St. Patrick’s Day falls on Thursday, March 17, so many events are planned for the weekend before the holiday as well as the day-of.
Parades
Saturday, March 12
The 20th annual parade in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is at 10 a.m. Saturday. Groups marching include Celtic dancers, bagpipe bands, school groups, clowns, fire trucks, equestrian units and service organizations. After the route ends, live entertainment will be hosted at the lakefront plaza until 2 p.m.
Rain or shine, a family friendly parade in Manassas, Virginia, starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and those watching the procession on Center Street are encouraged to wear their “Irish flair.”
Sunday, March 13
For those truly passionate about the holiday, the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee for the D.C. parade will be marching at 11:30 a.m. on March 13. They invited others to gather at the Peace Memorial on the National Mall to celebrate Irish culture.
The event is limited to those walking, or doing an Irish gig, as floats and other vehicles aren’t allowed.
After marching toward Kelly’s Irish Times and The Dubliner, musicians, dancers and athletes from Irish sporting clubs will perform starting at noon. More details about the unofficial parade are on the Facebook page for D.C.’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Read more at WTOP.
