It was a great day for Alexandria yesterday for the Irish fest. 2 divisions, state officers, and over 25 brothers attended with Vince singing our anthems. Well done!

We also raised money through raffles, ornament sales, and 50/50, where the winner (LAOH member) took home 200.

Today I will represent my division at the Emmet statue commemoration downtown DC with the DC AOH.

For the past several years, The Old Town Ballyshaners planned and organized the Annual Alexandria Irish Festival in Alexandria, VA.  The organization, started by late AOH member Pat Troy, used the festival as a fundraiser for the Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in March.  For over 40 years, the parade has gone on every year except in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.  

The Irish Fest, coined Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day, brings together vendors, musicians, and dancers, to celebrate St Patrick, Irish Heritage, and to raise money for the parade.  Held on September 17th, exactly halfway to St. Patrick’s Day, we enjoyed multiple singers, dancing groups, 2 Pipe Bands, and the Alumni Band of Notre Dame University.  The Cunningham and Herbert-Cady Divisions of VA AOH attended, to include state officers Bob Fay and Vince Eikmeier; Vince beautifully sang the anthems of the US and Ireland.  Past VA State President Jay McCarthy was also in attendance.