Community Corner
St. Patrick's Day Parade Fundraiser to be Held at Ireland's Own
Volunteer group the Ballyshaners, who organize the parade, are seeking to drum up funds to help pay for event costs.
The organizers of Alexandria’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade are hosting a fundraiser for the event Jan. 27 at Ireland’s Own.
The Ballyshaners’ fundraiser includes a silent auction of items such as stays at the Hotel Monaco and Holiday Inn Old Town, a VIP tour of Port City Brewery, Potomac Riverboat Co. tours, jewelry from the Irish Walk and dinners at Virtue Feed & Grain and Restaurant Eve as well as contributions from Daniel O’Connell’s, Murphy’'s Grand Irish Pub and Society Fair.
Pat Troy is the chairman of the event and will auction many of the items.
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The fundraiser will be held at Ireland's Own (the former Pat Troy's Restaurant), 111 N. Pitt St., from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Ballyshaners also will accept direct donations at the event.
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“We contribute a lot to the parade and we hope to continue to do so,” said parade organizer Kim Moore with the Ballyshaners. “The parade brings a lot of people to town and business to restaurants. We really showcase Old Town, and we hope people understand that this event is largely put on by an independent group.”
The City of Alexandria covers 50 percent of the approximately $30,000 parade fees, but the Ballyshaners must cover the other half to pay for an insurance policy as well as pay the city for additional police and emergency services, renting the reviewing stage, and other miscellaneous costs. The city's contribution to the event decreases annually.
Musical entertainment will include the Alexandria Pipes and Drums, and Irish entertainer Pat Garvey. Popular Irish singer John McGrath will perform immediately following the fundraiser.
The event is free to attend and kids and families are welcome.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade is scheduled for March 2 beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Alfred and King streets. The Grand Marshal is Brian Bugsy Watson of Bugsy's Restaurant.
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