Local musician named grand marshal of 2026 Alexandria St. Patrick's Day parade
Mike 'Rook' Richards to lead 43rd annual Ballyshaners parade through Old Town on March 7
Organizers announced Sunday that Mike “Rook” Richards will serve as grand marshal of the Ballyshaners’ 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, honoring the Alexandria native and musician as a “hometown hero.”
According to Ballyshaners,
Rook Richards also known as Mike Richards, was born and raised right here in the heart of Alexandria VA. He grew up in the suburbs off Quander Road and graduated from West Potomac High School in 2007. While attending West Potomac, Rook began learning guitar and would often head to the streets of Old Town to busk with friends while working at the Mt Vernon RECenter as a rink guard and “Zamboni Driver”. Eventually he would leave town and perform around the country to fully pursue music, and ended up back home in Alexandria once a month when he was asked to begin playing steadily at Murphy’s Irish Pub, Daniel O’Connell’s, Northside 10, Southside 815, and Augies Mussel House. When Covid hit, he moved into a small apartment on Alfred and shortly thereafter performed exclusively in Alexandria solidifying what he already knew, that this city was always a part of him and where he would call home. He is now working on a new country rock record in Nashville TN and planning a tour along with several releases in 2026. He’s looking forward to being on the road and playing his music again across the US, but will continue to come back to the place he was born, where his parents Brenda and Jeff still reside, where he laid his roots, and where he found his wife Annie, and found their wonderful black lab, Coal. He is very proud to have the honor of Grand Marshal this year as a “hometown hero”.
The parade is scheduled for March 7, 2026. The parade will start at 12:30 p.m. at the corner of King and Alfred streets, with dignitaries leading the procession at 12:15 p.m. The parade will proceed east on King Street and finish at the corner of Lee and Cameron streets.
The event is expected to draw thousands of spectators and participants. Parade organizers encourage attendees to use public transportation, including the Blue Line Metro at King Street/Old Town or a free trolley service. The parade is about a 10-minute walk from the Metro station.
The parade will feature Irish dancing, pipe bands, and local groups.
The Ballyshaners were founded in 1980 by a group of volunteers to organize the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Old Town. The name means “Old Towners” in Gaelic. The organization, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, promotes and preserves Irish history and culture. It also hosts the Alexandria Irish Festival each summer.
A grand marshal celebration is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2026, at The Alexandrian hotel.