Politics & Government

Congressman Gerry Connolly's St. Patrick's Day Fete Set for Monday

Straw polls will be held for candidates seeking Democratic nomination for Virginia's 8th and 10th congressional District seats.

More than 1,000 Democratic activists from across Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth are expected to attend Congressman Gerry Connolly's 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Fete on Monday, March 17 in the ballroom of the Kena Shriners' Temple, 9001 Arlington Blvd.

The event, which is Connolly's traditional kickoff for his fall campaign, begins at 7 p.m. and will feature two straw polls to assess the strength of the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th and 10th Congressional Districts. 

Connolly’s event, one of the largest annual Democratic gatherings in Northern Virginia, attracts Democrats, elected officials, and candidates from across Northern Virginia and beyond.  

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Connolly began hosting the annual event when he was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995 and has continued the tradition ever since through his 10 elections. The annual St. Patrick’s Day fete started as a small gathering in Connolly’s Fairfax home.  

Soon tents had to be erected behind the Connolly house to accommodate larger crowds, but it outgrew that venue too. It has been held at the Kena function hall, one of the largest ballrooms in Northern Virginia, in the heart of Connolly’s congressional district ever since.

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Each year, Connolly’s guests enjoy traditional Irish fare of corned beef and cabbage along with salmon, appropriate victuals served by Fairfax County firefighters, Irish music, and good company. Elected officials, candidates, campaign volunteers, neighbors, friends, political activists, and supporters from across Northern Virginia are regulars at the popular event.

Tickets to the fundraiser start at $40; purchase information is here. For questions or to RSVP and pay at the door email: fete@gerryconnolly.com or call (703) 375-9374.


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