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St. Patrick's Day Gets An Early Green Light
Edward Snyder plays during Alexandria's parade with the Northern Virginia Firefighters' Emerald Society Pipe Band, which will also march in the District.
(By Susan Biddle -- The Washington Post)
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"Alexandria is a unique city and is proud of being first," said city Mayor William Euille, who gets the timing question often this time of year.
Yesterday's parade featured Irish dancers, police motorcyclists, firefighters, bands, dogs and others with more tangential ties to St. Patrick's Day. One set dressed as Darth Vader and Imperial storm troopers.
"We're just a bunch of Star Wars enthusiasts," Jim Miller of Oakton said.
Okay.
Another group marched to protest a nearby Mirant power plant. What does an environmental protest have to do with St. Patrick's Day?
"Why not? It's green," said Andrea Grimaldi of Alexandria, who was wearing faux coal dust on her face.
The air rang with sounds from the District Fire Department's Emerald Society Pipe and Drums playing "When the Saints Go Marching In" and from the MacMillan Pipe Band from Gaithersburg.
"This is the kickoff of the St. Patrick's Day season," said Brian Brendel, drum major and president of the Northern Virginia Firefighters' Emerald Society Pipe Band.
After more than a quarter-century, Troy hasn't lost his touch when it comes to promoting his parade, even if it means a bit of blarney.
He estimated yesterday's crowd at more than 100,000.
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