Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, chairman of the Virginia House Democratic Caucus, greets supporters yesterday. REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Hundreds turn out for greening of city

St. Patrick's Day parade is a huge draw for downtown Fredericksburg

Date published: 3/17/2008

BY CATHY JETT

Sunny skies and a chance to sport a bit o' green drew hundreds to downtown Fredericksburg yesterday.

They'd lined several blocks of Caroline Street by 5 p.m. for the start of the 3rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Led by bagpiper Tom Weimer, the procession included nearly 40 groups, about 20 more than last year.

There was St. Patrick surrounded by his "little saints and angels," who handed green-beaded necklaces to the crowd, and rifle-carrying members of the Irish Brigade re-enactors group.

Students from two local Irish dance studios, Studio 17 and Patrick McGrath Academy, had people clapping along as they performed for the four judges seated in front of Irish Eyes. And the Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club had some people covering their ears as members gunned their souped-up motors.

Other participants included Liberty Tax Service, whose float carried a huge inflatable version of the Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty was, as emcee John Carey pointed out, many Irish immigrants' first sight of the United States.

The American Canoe Association, which is moving its headquarters to Fredericksburg, was there as well, as were representatives from Virginia Greyhound Adoption, who dressed their dogs in green for the occasion.

City Councilman Matt Kelly was the parade's grand marshal, and Erin Hall, a Germanna Community College student, was the parade's Rose of Tralee, a traditional honor going to a woman who is the embodiment of an Irish girl.

Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, his wife and two children also put in an appearance in a bright green Mustang. He'd met beforehand with about 50 people at a reception in the Princess Anne Building that was sponsored by the Fredericksburg Democratic Committee and the University of Mary Washington Young Democrats.

Moran, who is the House Democratic Caucus Chairman and a likely candidate for governor, apologized to attendees for being late. He'd been stuck in traffic.

Moran told the group that he could talk about the current transportation stalemate in the General Assembly, but preferred instead to talk about how his Irish heritage instilled in him an intolerance for injustice.

"It's incumbent upon us to remain vigilant," he said, "and to fight for those who do not have the same opportunities."

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Date published: 3/17/2008

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