Previous to this weekend, this is what I thought of when I heard the word bagpipes:
But after the St. Patty’s Day events going on throughout the city, let’s just say that my knowledge and taste have become more refined.
Sunday, March 14 kicked off the celebration. Constitution Avenue from 7th street to 17th street was lined with Irish and American flags. And for three hours military men, police officials, bands (military, bagpipers, students, etc), floats, Irish and step dancers lined the streets.
Because a picture is worth a thousand words, here are photos from the event:
Obviously this is the Irish flag- these were on all the light posts
The grand marshal maybe?
One of the floats all decked out in green
The band made up of members of different branches of the military
I don’t really know why these were in the parade but I WANT ONE
Aren’t bagpipes technically Scottish?
Anne and I with the parade behind us
(Please note our amazing headgear!!!!!!)
Then St. Patty’s Day finally arrived. March 17. The morning Metro was a sea of green. The security guard greeted me with “top o' the morning.” And I avoided getting pinched all day.
The coolest part of the day had to be the bagpipes that played at 4:30 pm. Apparently there someone who is so passionate about St. Patrick’s Day that they arrange for a bagpipe to be played over McPherson Square for about a half hour every March 17.
And then of course there is the usual rowdiness at the bars in the evening. Every bar that I know of had some sort of special on drinks for the evening. From the stories I have heard I can safely say that bars and restaurants from Woodley Park to King Street were filled to the brim with people dressed in green to celebrate. That is obviously not unique to DC, but it still made for quite an affair.
I can’t wait until the next parade and cultural celebration. And with the Cherry Blossom Festival coming soon, I won’t have to wait long!
Que Sera Sera.
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