St. Patrick's Day Events in the Washington, DC Area

Every March, thousands will celebrate St. Patrick's Day. For some, it's a chance to celebrate their Irish heritage. For others, it's time to get out the green. In the DC Metro Area, they got some great events to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Here are few of them:

Washington, DC St. Patrick's Day Parade: Since 1971, this events has grown from what was little more than a leisurely stroll by a few hundred participants to what is now being called "The Nation's St. Patrick's Day Parade." Now, It ha become a two-and-a-half hour event filled with Marching Bands, Pipe Bands, our Nation's Military, Police, and Fire Departments as well as Floats, Novelty Groups and those marchers wearing green. The parade starts March 11^th at 12:00 p.m., and it will travel Constitution Avenue from 7^th to 17^th Streets, N.W., in our Nation's Capital.

ShamrockFest: The biggest St. Patrick's Festival in the region is back. Shamrock Fest is an all-ages event featuring live music in 10 Main Event areas. In addition, there are carnival games and rides, multiple strolling entertainers, Irish Entertainers and more. This year's event will be located at The RFK Stadium Festival Grounds. Live Acts include Flogging Molly, Carbon Leaf, Jimmy's Chicken Shack, Kelly Bell Band, Fools and Horses and more. Tickets are on sale, but prices will increase as the day draws near.

26^th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Alexandria, VA: The city of Alexandria celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a parade on March 3, 2007. The day kicks off at 10AM on N. Pitt Street with the Classic Car Show, a judged show of more than 40 classic automobiles. If you're not a car fan, you can check out the Fun Dog Show at 10:30 a.m. in Market Square. Prizes are awarded for tallest, smallest, longest ears, dog/owner look-alikes and ''most mysterious heritage.'' The dog show alone has become one of the biggest draws of Old Town's St. Pat's event, with the pooches and their parents joining the parade afterwards. It concludes with a parade winding down King Street filled with marching bands, dancers, mounted patrols, floats and bagpipes.

Leprechaun Lap: Anyone who has attended any bar tour that Lindy Promotions have put together in the past is knows these events like the back of their hand. The 1^st Saturday in March is when thousands head to the Midtown/Golden Triangle to get food and drink specials at the best nightspots in the city. It starts March 3^rd at Mackey's at 1 p.m. You can get tickets in advance from this website. You must be 21 years or older to attend.

Morning Mayhem & Shamrock Shenanigans: For those who like to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, we got news for you. Lindy Promotions is hosting their 3^rd Annual Morning Mayhem & Shamrock Shenanigans event. Since St. Patrick's Day is on a Saturday, you don't have to worry about work. The morning activities take place at McFadden's on 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Start time is 8 a.m. on March 17, 2007. You must be 21 years or older to attend.

Gaithersburg Saint Patrick's Day Parade: City of Gaithersburg, MD is holding their St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17^th. The parade features a pipe band, marching band, music, animals and more. The parade route is at the Washingtonian Center, and it goes from the Corner Bakery to Kohl's. The start time is 10:00 a.m.

The St. Patrick's Day 8K: The day after St. Patrick's Day, you can check out one of Washington, DC's largest races. There's an 8K for the adults and 1K race for the children. This event kicks off the racing season in DC. The start and finish lines are located on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between 12th and 13th Streets, near Freedom Plaza, the Ronald Reagan Building, and in front of the Old Post Office Pavilion.