The leprechauns (i.e., the committee) have been busy prepping for the 200th anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festivities in Savannah. If you think you need only one day to celebrate this saint, you would be mistaken. Savannah throws a week-long celebration with events for the entire family.
Greening of the Fountain
The St. Patrick’s festivities officially begin with the greening of the fountain at Forsyth Park at noon on March 8. The fountain flows green for the duration of the holiday.
Tybee Parade
Tybee Island hosts its St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 3 p.m. on March 9. Now in its 20th year, the Irish Heritage Celebration is two hours jam-packed with music, marchers and family0friendly fun. The parade starts at Tybee City Hall and proceeds down Butler Avenue to Tybrisa Street. Wear your green!
Celtic Cross Mass and Ceremony
After mass on Sunday, March 10, facilities gather outside the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist to march together to the Celtic Cross Monument in Emmett Park, which honors the city’s Irish heritage and its ancestors. Officials place a wreath at the monument, and a blessing given for the parade. The ceremony honors the origins of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which began with a similar procession in 1824.
Salute to the Military
At 4 p.m. on March 15, the Sgt. Jasper Green ceremony takes place at Madison Square as a salute to the military. A monument honors the Revolutionary War hero. Jasper lost his life while rescuing his regiment’s colors during the Siege of Savannah in 1779.
Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade
This free event begins promptly at 10:15 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day with an exciting procession of spirited floats, cars, bands, and performers rolling through downtown. Check out the route here to pick a great spot for viewing. Purchase bleacher seats that start at $35. The parade is one of Savannah’s largest parties of the year, so book your accommodations early.
An over-21 event is the Savannah Shamrock Stroll, a bar crawl held 1-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 16.
Now it is your turn. And your part is easy. Book a stay in one of the amazing Savannah properties in the center of the action.