Participants and parade-goers filled Old Towns streets last Saturday to ring in the countrys first St. Patricks Day celebration the citys 29th annual rendition. 

It was a sunny day of about 55 degrees that made those in attendance forget about the blizzards that blanketed the city in white. But on this day, all that was seen was green whether in the eyes of Irish dancers and Alexandria children or the collars on the army of leashed beasts leading their owners through the streets. Of course, the occasional red was spotted, like that worn by the Alexandria Pipes and Drums as they sauntered down the parade route effortlessly with bagpipes in hand and mouth.

Though the holiday was almost two weeks away, its never to early for Alexandrians to celebrate theluck of the Irish. 

Click here for more photos of the parade.