The DC Traveler » Parade

Celebrate America’s Birthday – at a July 4th Parade

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:35:00 +0000

On July 4th, towns and municipalities across the region host multiple Independence Day parades.

But the largest and most popular is the annual America’s National Independence Day Parade that runs down Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC.

DC’s Monuments make up the backdrop for the parade that’s packed with military units, classic fife and drum corps, marching bands, floats, giant tethered balloons, equestrian and drill teams, and more.

And while on the Mall, check out the National Folklife Festival.

Here’s a Washington Post link to other area July 4th parades.

America’s National Independence Day Parade
Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC (map it)

Dates and Times – Thursday, July 4, 2008 11:45 a.m. but arrive to grab a good viewing location along the curb.

Admission – Free

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Smithsonian (Mall exit) or Federal Triangle – Blue or Orange lines or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Parking will be very tough, with lots of streets having restricted parking, so take Metro.

Images – Revolutionary Color Guard, balloons, Fife and Drum,

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Post from: The DC Traveler

National Memorial Day Parade

Tue, 20 May 2008 11:01:10 +0000

For over sixty years, the nation’s capital was without a parade on Memorial Day. Just four years ago, the World War II Veterans Committee reinstituted a parade honoring all Americans who served in the military and fought or died to preserve our freedom.

The Washington, DC Memorial Day parade boasts nearly 200 elements, including marching bands, all types of active and retired military units, youth groups, floats and hundreds of veterans from all of America’s armed conflicts since World War II.

Bring a small lawn chair for comfortable seating, or grab a curbside seat.

National Memorial Day Parade
Constitution Ave., from 7th to 17th Streets, NW
Washington, DC (map it)

Date and Time – Monday, May 26, 2008, 2:00 p.m.

Tickets – FREE

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Federal Triangle, Blue and Orange lines or Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter, Green and Yellow lines, then a 3-4 block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Limited street parking is available.

Images – Flickr – flags, Shriners, horse soldier, band

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Post from: The DC Traveler

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:18:49 +0000

It’s said that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day so celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month by joining pipe bands, fife and drum corps, Irish dancers, mounted esquarian teams, police, and fire departments, antique automobiles, floats and more at this year’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Washington, DC.

The parade has been an yearly event in DC since 1971.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets NW.
Washington, DC (map it)
202-619-7222

Date and Time - Sunday, March 16, 2008, Noon – 2:30 p.m.

Tickets – FREE, Grandstand tickets are $5.00 and available online or by calling 301-384-6533.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – line, then a block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Street parking is available in the area, but with the no parking on Constitution Ave., there will be significantly less parking spaces.

Images – Flickr – bagpipe band, fife and drum, carriage

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Erin Go Bragh – St. Patrick’s Day Parades Alexandria and Washington, DC

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:15:38 +0000

Bagpipes, marching bands, Irish dancers and more will highlight this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parades in Alexandria and Washington, DC.

Alexandria Parade

Date – Saturday, March 3rd

Events include:

- Classic Car Show and Competition – 100 North Pitt Street between King and Cameron Streets – 10:00 a.m. – noon

- Fun Dog Show – Market Square, registration 10:30 a.m., dog show 11:00 a.m. until noon. Competition included the tallest and smallest dogs, the pooch with the longest ears, a dog/owner look-alike contest, and most mysterious heritage (this one is for dogs only).

- Parade – starts at 12:30 p.m. the parade route is eleven blocks down King Street from West Street to Fairfax Street.

After the parade, check out the Torpedo Factory Art Center while the crowds disperse.

Nearest Metro subway station – King Street – Blue or Yellow line, then a 10-minute walk down King Street toward the waterfront, or take the #2 or #5 DASH bus. Bus service may be disrupted or detoured due to the parade.

Parking – Street parking is available in the area but may be limited (remember parking meters will be in effect and streets near the parade route may be closed). There are also numerous paid parking garages in the area.

Washington, DC Parade

Date and Time – March 11th – noon until 3:00 p.m.

Parade Route – Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 17th Street
Admission to both events is free.

Nearest Metro subway station – Federal Triangle – Blue and Orange line, then a 1/2 block walk to Constitution Ave.

Parking – Street parking is available, but will be difficult, I recommend you use Metro.

Some Saint Patrick history…

Patrick was born in 386 in Wales was raised as a pagan.
His given name was actually “Maewyn”.
Patrick was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders at the age of 16.
At 22, he escaped his captors and crossed the English Channel to Gaul (Western Europe) to study in a monastery.
During his studies he developed his calling to convert the pagans of Ireland to Christianity.
After returning to Ireland as a bishop, Patrick was arrested numerous times by the Druids, but always manage to escape.
During his 30 years he establish many schools and churches throughout Ireland, while converting the Irish to Christianity.

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Post from: The DC Traveler