Alexandria Irish Festival, Goes Virtual In 2020, Supports Vendors

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Alexandria Irish Festival, an annual tradition promoting Irish heritage, won't happen in person this year due to the pandemic. Instead, the festivities will go virtual for the first time on Saturday, Aug. 29.

The festival is one of the major annual events held by the Ballyshaners, a nonprofit promoting Irish heritage. The group's other major event, the Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade, was held before pandemic-related closures and cancellations began affecting the region.

The event typically draws a sizable crowd to enjoy food, vendors and performances. Kaitlyn Likas of the Ballyshaners told Patch the organizers made the decision earlier this summer to cancel the in-person festivities of the Alexandria Irish Festival.

"We were concerned about everyone's safety and well-being," she said. "Large crowds tend to allow people to transmit the disease [more than small crowds]."

The theme of this year's reimagined festival is "Honoring the Community and Thanking Those on the Front Line." The virtual format will include performances, messages and demonstrations. Starting at 10:45 a.m. on Aug. 29, videos will be uploaded to YouTube and will be available to view any time. Likas says there's something for all ages: dance performances, a craft demonstration, story telling, music performances, a cocktail demonstration from Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar, and messages from people in the community like Alexandria's mayor and Ireland's ambassador to the U.S. This year, there is international participation from contestants of the Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival. Likas will be representing the DC region at the festival next year.

There will be opening and closing ceremonies, the latter of which includes a slideshow and tribute to the now-closed Irish Walk.

The Ballyshaners is also promoting vendors from previous years through an online Irish marketplace. These vendors include KH Giving, E.Y.A.Y.A. Creative Web Design Studio, JA Bead Creations, Celtic Tides, Foley Academy of Irish Dance, Irish Traditions, Sons of Vikings, Allens Scottish Shortbread, GreenIsland Bakery, Larkin Tea, Port City Brewing Co., Capital Remodeling, Alexandria Democratic Committee, Alexandria Republicans, i9 Sports, Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar, Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, and SCAN of Northern Virginia.

"We know they're going through hard times with their business, and most of them are small [businesses]," said Likas.

For food and drink alternatives during the virtual festival, Likas encourages takeout from Alexandria restaurants.

The festival's beer sales provide crucial fundraising for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, so fundraising efforts could take a hit this year. Because of the high costs associated with holding the parade, the Ballyshaners holds various fundraisers throughout the year so the decades-old tradition can carry on. This year, residents can show their support by making a donation to the Ballyshaners or performing artists.

"The virus is affecting everyone. The entertainment industry is suffering," said Likas.

The 2021 St. Patrick's Day Parade is tentatively scheduled for March 6, 2021. Updates on future Ballyshaners events can be found on its website and social media pages. Musicians and other entertainers interested in performing and vendors interested in the virtual marketplace should email ballyshaners_festival@yahoo.com.