Old Town was packed on Saturday morning for Alexandria’s 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Thousands of visitors lined King Street to watch a procession of more than 2,000 participants, including Irish dancers, historic reenactors and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums. The festivities also included a car show and a dog show at Market Square outside City Hall.

This year’s Grand Marshal was Charlotte Hall, managing director of Old Town Business. The parade was sponsored by the Ballyshaners, a nonprofit dedicated to Irish heritage. Ballyshaners is Gaelic for “Old Towners.”

Enjoy the photos!

It’s the 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in old town Alexandria. @wtop pic.twitter.com/GALWNTcrJE

— Dick Uliano (@DickUliano) March 4, 2023

Get out of the way!!
Today, the Woodridge Showtime Marching Eagles Performed at the 2023 Ballyshaners St. Patrick's Day Parade held in Old Town Alexandria Virginia. #woodridgeeaglessoar💙💛💙🦅 #FriendshipProud #fpcswoodridge #dccharterproud #marchingband pic.twitter.com/0jpJoQ4U4F

— Friendship PCS (@FriendshipPCS) March 4, 2023

Some St. Patrick’s Day parade shots. #alexandriava #oldtownalexandria pic.twitter.com/l1Cx1kgLG2

— Old Town Dog Walks (@Oldtowndogwalks) March 4, 2023

While flags on private property are mostly unlimited, a new resolution (item 16) heading to the City Council next week outlines some specifics on which flags can fly from city flagpoles.

It’s a topic that can be controversial — in 2015 the city finally prohibited the flying of Confederate flags on city poles.

There are some flags that can be flown at any time, but many are month-specific. The full list is below:

• The flag of any of the Armed Forces of the United States;
• The Pan-African flag during Black History Month, in February of a given
  year;
• The Women’s Day flag during Women’s History Month, in March of a given
  year;
• The flag of the Republic of Ireland during Irish American Heritage Month, in
  March of a given year;
• The flag of the Red Cross during Red Cross Month, in March of a given year;
• A Remembrance Banner for the lynching of Joseph McCoy in April of a given
  year;
• The Flags of the United States and France in remembrance of D-Day in June
  of a given year;
• The Pride flag during Pride Month, in June of a given year;
• A Banner commemorating Juneteenth in June of a given year;
• A Remembrance Banner for the lynching of Benjamin Thomas in August of a
  given year;
• The flag of Scotland on the day of the Scottish Christmas Walk parade
  occurring in December of a given year.

Key Leader Chosen for New VT Campus — “Virginia Tech has found its founding director for the computer science program at its forthcoming Innovation Campus in Alexandria. Sara Hooshangi, a faculty member at George Washington University’s College of Professional Studies since 2010, will join Virginia Tech in January to build the curriculum at the new campus.” [Washington Business Journal]

Va. Tech Flags at Market Square — “Thanks to @AlexandriaVAGov #VirginiaTech flags are flying on Market Square commemorating the one-year anniversary of the #VTInnovationCampus announcement. Snap your photo – they’ll be up all week.” [Twitter]

City Urges Food Bank Donations — “The City of Alexandria urges the public to participate in a regional ‘rolling food collection drive’ to help replenish local food banks before the holiday season. The ‘Food2Feed’ collection drive, sponsored by Howard University and WHUR 96.3, will visit Alexandria’s Market Square (301 King St.) on Tuesday, November 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.” [City of Alexandria]

Smoke from Generator Causes Fire Scare — “AFD on scene of a reported possible fire at 400 Cameron Station Blvd condo complex. Source of smoke determined to be a malfunctioning generator, most firefighters now leaving the scene.” [Twitter]