FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2008     

City of Alexandria to Hold Annual Irish Festival on Saturday, August 2

Slainte mhath! (Good health!) The music, food, and culture of Ireland will be featured as the City of Alexandria hosts its annual Irish Festival on Saturday, August 2, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street. Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine. The City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the Ballyshaners, Inc., are cosponsoring the festival.

Entertainment features the Boyle Irish Dancers; Rocky Guttman; Pat Garvey; the Maple School of Dance; the Flying Cows of Ventry; The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums and Lieutenant Colonel Dowd Division A. O. H. Color Guard, and many others. Exhibits will showcase traditional arts, crafts, jewelry, paintings, and souvenirs.  Throughout the day, Irish food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Visitors to the historic Old Town area are encouraged to take the Metrorail’s Yellow or Blue lines to the King Street Station in Old Town and take the free King Street Trolley, take DASH or Metro buses to the event. For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit dashbus.com. For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit wmata.com.
 
The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Cheryl Lawrence, Special Events Supervisor, at 703.838.4844 (TTY 703.838.4902) or e-mail cheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov.
           
For additional information, call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686, or visit www.ballyshaners.org.