Alexandria Saint Patrick's Day Parade Cancelled

UPDATE: Organizers say the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade scheduled for Saturday, March 3 at 12:30 p.m. is now cancelled due to the extreme wind conditions in Alexandria. The region is under a high wind advisory until 6 a.m. Saturday.

The city made the decision as tens of thousands remained without power Friday night. A make-up date has yet to be set.

A 37-year Old Town Alexandria tradition, the St. Patrick's Day Parade runs east on King Street from Alfred Street to Lee Street. The parade will turn left on Lee Street and continue to Cameron Street. King Street will be closed from Patrick to Union Streets between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Police will detour Washington Street traffic at Oronoco and Duke Streets. The parade is expected to draw heavy pedestrian traffic.

Bernadette and Pat Troy, who founded the parade in 1982 and own the Irish Walk boutique on King Street, will serve as the grand marshals this year.

Pat Troy immigrated to the U.S. in the 1960s from Ireland. He and his wife Bernadette opened Irish Walk in 1980 and started the parade two years later. Since then, the volunteer group Ballyshaners have organized the parade.

"Leading the organization in the year when we are honoring the Troys is a marvelous opportunity. The community is excited to celebrate Pat and Bernadette," said Ballyshaners chairman Kimberley Moore.

The organizers also hold the Fun Dog Show in coordination with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria before the parade. The Fun Dog Show will be held at Market Square at 10:45 am and hosted by WUSA's Peggy Fox.

The contest awards "Pet Troy Award" trophies for a number of categories: Dog – Owner Look Alike, St. Patrick's Spirit Award, Best Costume and Most Talented. Then the dogs will kick off the the parade at Pitt and King Streets. There will also be vendors selling pet products at Market Square starting at 10:30 a.m. A car show will also precede the parade from 10 a.m.-noon.

For more information, visit the parade's website.

Image via Ballyshaners, used with permission