Did you know that Irish roots run deep in Savannah, Georgia? These roots have led to the second-largest St. Patty’s Day Parade in the country. In the 1730s, Irish Immigrants settled in Savannah, and in 1824 the very first Saint Patrick’s Day celebration was recorded. The Irish celebrations have continued ever since. Every March the city turns green to celebrate the Irish way and traditions. Keep reading to find out more about the events that occur around St. Patty’s day in Savannah.
Greening of Forsyth Fountain
Each year St. Patrick’s Day festivities are kicked off by the greening of the Forsyth fountain. The historic district has nine fountains in total. Each of these fountains is dyed green for the St. Patty’s Day celebrations. The greening at Forsyth Fountain is the only fountain that is set up as a special event. This is a family-friendly event that sets the tone for the entire weekend. This year’s annual greening will take place on Friday, March 11th at 4 p.m. in Forsyth Park. Bring your kids and get ready to dip into the Irish spirit.
Feast Day Mass of St. Patrick
Every year on St. Patrick’s Day a mass is held at Savannah’s Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. This year the mass will begin on Thursday, March 17th at 8 a.m. This is an event that takes place worldwide to celebrates the life of the patron, Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to the Irish people. This day and his life are significant to the Irish people and he will forever be considered their patron saint.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The biggest event of the weekend is the parade! The streets are filled with bands, floats, bagpipes, and seas of green. This year the St. Patrick’s Day parade takes place at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, March 17th. People start staking a claim on a spot around 6 a.m. when the squares open. The Parade starts on the corner of Gwinnett and Abercorn streets. To see a picture of the official parade map, click here. Bring a chair and some comfortable shoes as you will likely be walking a good bit. If carrying a chair through the city is not your thing, you can reserve a bleacher seat for $30-$45 a person through The Parade Committee’s site.
Things to Consider
If you are considering Savannah for Saint Patty’s Day make sure you remember to book a great hotel, pay attention to road closures, and research parking. Check out this link to view a detailed map of all road closures throughout the parade and holiday weekend. Several parking garages will be open and they range from $5-$25. A great alternative to driving is utilizing the two shuttle services that will be running throughout the weekend. CAT shuttles, as well as Kelly tours, will be great options for your parade day transportation. Plan and prepare and you will have an unforgettable Saint Patty’s Day in Savannah! There is an endless amount of entertainment and fun to be had in Savannah on St. Patty’s Day. Get your green on and join in on the fun in one of the most Irish-centric cities in America!