Alexandria’s 41st Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade is Saturday, March 2!

Alexandria, VA – “It is official,” says the headline of a post on the Ballyshaners’ social media page. “Alexandria’s very own Mango Mike is the Grand Marshal of the 41st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We can’t wait to see such a fabulous local celebrity lead the parade down King Street.”

Mike has had a long and impactful career as a restaurateur in Alexandria since his first restaurant and bar, Shooter McGees, opened in 1979. Mike landed his first restaurant job at 22, a dishwashing position at King’s Landing in Old Town, where he hung his college diploma above the dishwashing machine, rolled up his sleeves, and has been hard at work ever since. As of today, Mike has successfully owned and operated 20 restaurants in the DMV area.

His most-known claim to fame was Mango Mike’s, a Caribbean restaurant on Alexandria’s west side. It was Mike’s longest-running venture, serving the community for 19 years. The restaurant’s success stretched to the southern coast of Delaware, where Mike opened a second location in Bethany Beach that is still in business today.

Mike’s philanthropic contributions to the community are many, dating back to the 1980s when his Shooter McGee’s Alexandria Autumn 10K raised more than $50,000 for Special Olympics. Today, in an innovative partnership with ACT for Alexandria, Mike gives back to more than 75 local nonprofits by donating 25 cents for every burger sold at Holy Cow, Del Ray’s Gourmet Burger Joint.

Recognition for Mike’s leadership in the food service industry includes a 1997 RAMMY (Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington) Award for Mango Mike’s as Best New Restaurant, the 2013 Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award for Holy Cow, and the Restaurateur of the Year Award from the Virginia Tourism Bureau. Mike was named the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year in 1999 and served as the organization’s Chairman of the Board in 2011. In 2014, he was inducted into the Living Legends of Alexandria. Additionally, he was a founding board member of the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association and past chair of the Alexandria Small Business Development Center.

Currently, Mike and his wife Donna Anderson, with the help of his daughter Danielle Mammel and son-in-law David Mammel, own and operate HomeGrown Restaurant Group, a six-restaurant group located within the Carlyle and Del Ray neighborhoods of Alexandria. The group includes Pork Barrel BBQ, Holy Cow, The Del Ray Pop-Up Bar, Tequila & Taco, Sweet Fire Donna’s, and Whiskey & Oyster.

Setting aside his career accomplishments and philanthropic contributions, he’s most proud of the love from his wife Donna, three daughters, Danielle (34), Chelsea (32), Dakota (29), and grandsons Sawyer (7), Shae (5), and Riley (1).

Don’t Miss the First (and Best) St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Organized and hosted by the nonprofit Ballyshaners (Gaelic for “Old Towners”), Alexandria always kicks off the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Washington, D.C. region by holding its parade on the first Saturday in March.

Because of the time slot, our parade attracts star-studded groups that travel considerable distances to perform. The parade features pipe bands, Irish dance schools, community groups, and other performers and entertainment. It’s a fantastic day to spend with family or friends.

WHERE IT HAPPENS

The parade officially starts at the corner of King and Saint Asaph Streets at 12:30 p.m., with dignitaries leading the procession at 12:15 p.m. It proceeds east on King Street, finishing at the corner of Fairfax and Cameron Streets.

With thousands of spectators and participants expected, parade-goers are encouraged to use public transportation. The closest Metro is the Blue Line, King Street/Old Town. A free trolley from the Metro or a short 10-minute walk down King Street can reach the activities.

The Ballyshaners.org. is a nonprofit group that seeks to promote and preserve Irish heritage by organizing the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Alexandria and the Ballyshaners Irish festival held each summer. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are still available, as listed on their website. For more information about the parade, go to ballyshaners.org/ .

Residents and tourists are encouraged to go early to enjoy the events at one of the DMV area’s finest parades. All events are free to the public.

If you would like to march in the parade, go to ballyshaners.org/parade.html#application

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