By Nancy Dunham
St. Patrick’s Day is truly a family celebration in Manassas.
Let other municipalities encourage adults-only drinking and behavior, Manassas is all about marching bands, classic music and family fun.
Line up for the celebration at about 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 13, in Old Town Manassas, Va. One of the best places to set up for the mile-long parade is near Quarry Road and Prescott Avenue (set your GPS for 8707 East Quarry Road, Manassas). The parade starts promptly at 11 a.m.
You’ll enjoy entertainment by the Northern Virginia Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, Washington Scottish Pipes and Drums, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Coalition Pipe Band and the Washington Regional Police Pipe Band as well as the Marine Corps Color Guard, Irish dance groups, Ancient Order of Hibernians Division and other area groups and organizations.
Anyone who knows Manassas knows that after the parade, plenty of pubs, restaurants and shops in Old Town Manassas will be open. Take a walk around and enjoy the bookstores, jewelry shops and other merchants.
Stick around until evening. At 7:30 p.m., you can hear the “Grace and Sophistication” concert featuring music by Joseph Haydn by NOVA Manassas Symphony Orchestra concert at Grace United Methodist Church, 10201 Hendley Road, Manassas.
Tickets are available at the door: $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and free for students. For more information, call 703-257-6500, Ext. 47737 or visit
stpatparade.net.