One of the most popular bands that played at Shamrock Fest was The Roots, which drew in a crowd of several thousand. Photo courtesy of shamrockfest.com/2010.

You’re standing at the entrance to Shamrock Fest as the rain pours down and clouds your vision.  But through the haze, you see a huge parking lot obscured by numerous white tents and people dressed in green, hear the excited shouts of partiers, the booming throb of music and the smell of both authentic Irish cuisine and greasy carnival food.

This year’s Shamrock Fest, the annual festival held March 13 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, included music, dancing and carnival events.  RFK Stadium in D.C. hosted the 10th anniversary of the event, which featured both popular bands and Irish-oriented music.

The rain started just as the 40,000 partiers made their way toward the stadium.  Throughout the nine-hour event, the rain drenched the crowds of partying fans.  People jumped and splashed through the massive puddles that covered the ground, sending water flying in all directions.  Everyone in the crowd was soaking wet by the end of the day, which only fueled their desire to dance and have fun.

Most attendees went to see well-known bands like Train, The Roots, LMFAO and Carbon Leaf, all of whom braved the torrential rain to play to exuberant crowds that sang loudly to all the lyrics.  The 10 stages also featured many lesser-known bands, like the Irish-inspired band Scythian and local rock band Hotspur.

While listening to the music, people sang, danced, crowd-surfed, met fellow fans and enjoyed the festive spirit of the event.  The Irish music attracted people that spontaneously danced Irish jigs with other party-goers or people who participated in the numerous mosh pits that inevitably erupted in the crowd.

Legal participants made their way to a series of tents that featured extensive lines for green beer.  According to the Shamrock Fest website, the bar space totaled over 1,000 feet—longer than three football fields.

While many shoes may never recover from the puddles and spilled beer covering the ground, and sore backs and legs were common consequences of the day, the event was more than worth the negative side effects.  Shamrock Fest is an event that will continue to be a highlight of D.C.’s spring season.