McLean Democrats Celebrate At A Fairfax St. Patrick's Day Tradition

For Fairfax County Democrats there's only one place to be on St. Patrick's Day: Cong. Gerry Connolly's party.

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-11th) hosted his 18th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Fete on Friday at the Kena Shriners Temple in Fairfax. The event, which is the largest annual Democratic gathering in Northern Virginia, sparked the 2012 reelection campaign for Connolly, who faces primary challenger Will Radle. 

It's the place to see and be seen. It's a Fairfax Democratic tradition and attracts a who's who of county Democratic politics ---from the names in the headlines to the anonymous but essential party workers.

The fete began in 1995 in Connolly's Fairfax home, but the festivities soon outgrew the venue, and the Kena function hall has been home ever since to hundreds of the party faithful. The menu: Strictly Irish—corned beef, cabbage and potatoes and beer. 

"President Obama, Tim Kaine and I are all on the same ticket," said Connolly as he showed off new campaign bumper stickers to the audience. "This event is my largest fundraiser of the year, and it's a very important one because of my reelection."  

McLean Democrats at the party included Dranesville Supervisor John Foust, former Democratic National Committee chair Terry McAuliffe and schools activist Greg Brandon.

It is not clear how much the Connolly campaign raised. 

, who was arrested earlier in the day with actor George Clooney and attended.  Moran, Clooney and Clooney's dad Nick Clooney were arrested to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the continuing war.