Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade 2020: Schedule, Route

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The 39th annual Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to hit King Street on Saturday, March 7 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The event is preceded by the Fun Dog Show at Market Square from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The parade route runs down King Street beginning at Alfred Street before turning on Lee Street and ending at Cameron Street. More than 2,000 participants are expected at this year's parade, including the Notre Dame Alumni Band, dog rescue groups, pipe and drum bands, historical re-enactors, Shriners and Kena cars, and Irish dancers.

The parade is held by the Ballyshaners, a group formed in 1980 to promote and preserve Irish heritage. This year's grand marshal is John Brennan, an original owner of Daniel O’Connell’s Restaurant and Bar. A Kilkenny, Ireland native, he came to the U.S. to open Daniel O’Connell’s Restaurant and Bar in 2006.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's Fun Dog Show features over 30 costumed dogs squaring off in a number of categories. Owners are invited to dress up their pups in costumes to compete for Best Human/Canine Look-Alike, Most Talented and Most St. Paddy’s Spirit. The show will be hosted by Bobby Mahoney, a McEnearney realtor and Alexandria business owner.

Winners of each category will be determined by audience applause. After the show, owners will meet at King and St. Asaph Streets at noon to lead the parade.

Advance registration for dogs is $25 per category and $30 at the event, and pets can register for all three. Register at AlexandriaAnimals.org/DogShow2020. Dogs will not be allowed on Market Square until 10:30 a.m. when the Old Town Farmers’ Market ends. The event benefits the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and is sponsored by McEnearney Associates.

In addition to the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Ballyshaners hold the Alexandria Irish Festival in August and will hold an Around the World Pub Crawl in November. A number of upcoming fundraisers will raise funds for the parade. A fundraiser at Murphy's Grand Irish Pub, 713 King Street, will be held Sunday, Feb. 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Grand Marshal Dinner precedes the parade at The Alexandrian, 480 King Street, on Friday, March 6.

For more information about the parade, visit www.ballyshaners.org.