Local restaurateur and Living Legend of Alexandria “Mango” Mike Anderson has been named as the Grand Marshal of the city’s 41st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Anderson will lead the parade, which will take place March 2 beginning at 12:15 p.m., through the streets of Old Town.

“This was quite a surprise,” said Anderson. “What an honor it is being named this year’s Grand Marshal. I am humbled and will do my best to live up to the 40 that have gone before me.”

Traditionally held the first Saturday in March, the parade features pipe bands, Irish dance schools, community groups, and other performers and entertainment.

“What an honor it is being named this year’s Grand Marshal.”

— “Mango” Mike Anderson

Anderson and his wife Donna, with the help of their daughter Danielle Mammel and son-in-law David Mammel, own and operate HomeGrown Restaurant Group, a six-restaurant group located in the Carlyle and Del Ray neighborhoods of Alexandria. The group includes Pork Barrel BBQ, Holy Cow, The Del Ray Pop Up Bar, Tequila & Taco, Sweet Fire Donna’s and Whiskey & Oyster.

“We can't wait to see such a fabulous local celebrity lead the parade down King Street,” said parade organizers in making the announcement.

Anderson has been a fixture in the local restaurant scene since 1979 when he opened Shooter McGees. Beginning as a dishwasher at King’s Landing at the age of 22, Anderson has gone on to own and operate 20 restaurants in the DMV area.

His most known claim to fame, Mango Mike’s, a Caribbean restaurant located on the west side of Alexandria, was Anderson’s longest running venture, serving the community for 19 years. A second location in Bethany Beach is still open today.

Recognition for Anderson’s leadership in the food service industry includes a 1997 RAMMY (Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington) Award for Mango Mike’s as Best New Restaurant, the 2013 Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award for Holy Cow, and the Restaurateur of the Year Award from the Virginia Tourism Bureau.

Anderson was named the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year in 1999 and served as the organization’s Chairman of the Board in 2011. In 2014, he was named a Living Legend of Alexandria. Additionally, he was a founding board member of the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association and past chair of the Alexandria Small Business Development Center.

For parade route or more information, visit www.ballyshaners.org.