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The clouds hung low over Old Town Alexandria on Saturday morning, but by the time the Ballyshaners 43rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade stepped off, the sun had found its way through — and thousands of spectators had already lined the route from Wolfe Street to King.
Mike "Rook" Richards, the Alexandria-born musician tapped as this year's grand marshal, took a moment at the microphone to address the crowd before the procession got underway.
"Being born and raised here, it's just such an honor to be up here with all y'all," Richards said. "I can't say thank you enough. Thank you for being here."
He thanked his parents, his wife Annie, and the family gathered around him, and acknowledged the performers who had shared the stage. It was a rare moment for a man more accustomed to being the one holding the guitar or running the sound board — simply standing still and taking it in.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins addressed the crowd as well, thanking the Ballyshaners volunteers whose year-round work makes the parade possible.
"Today is not just a celebration of our Irish heritage," Gaskins said. "It's a celebration of our entire community."
She closed with an Irish blessing before the procession moved east on King Street. "May your day be filled with blessings, and may nothing but happiness come through your door."
Pipe bands, Irish dancers, and community groups filled the route as the parade made its way from St. Asaph Street east on King, past the grandstand near Royal Street, and south on Pitt to Duke. The Ballyshaners, founded in 1980, organize what is recognized as the first St. Patrick's Day parade in the Washington area.
Richards, who in past years has spent parade day hauling sound equipment and managing the stage for the Ballyshaners, handed those duties off to a hired technician this year — freeing him, for once, to ride in the car. After the procession wrapped, he was back to work, heading to the Green Eggs and Beer fundraiser at the Fish Market before a late set with Kenny Kohlhaas at Daniel O'Connell's, which celebrated its 20th anniversary with a full day of rugby, Irish dancers, and live music.
The Ballyshaners 43rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade was presented by AmeriCans, Wegmans, ALVA 871, Daniel O'Connell's, Kearney & Company, Brown-Forman, Murphy's Irish Pub, Burke & Herbert Bank, The Alexandrian, Guinness, Chadwick's, Shannon & Wright, Foley Irish Dance, Rock It Grill, Yates and United Bank.
