The city of Savannah is known for its rich history and for its many festival and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration is one of the most popular. Savannah hosts the largest St. Patrick’s Day party in the South over several days, with a St Patrick’s Day parade, green fountain and lots of beer on this Irish party day. Approximately 400,000 people will show up to celebrate Irish heritage.
The official St Patrick’s Day celebration starts off with the Greening of the Fountain, and when we say the fountain in Savannah – it’s of course the Forsyth Park Fountain we’re talking about. The greening of the Forsyth Park Fountain takes place on March 9, 2012 at noon. There is also the Tara Feis Irish Festival on March 10, 2012 in Emmet Park. Read more about the family-friendly festival here.
The 2012 St. Patrick’s Festival on Historic River Street takes place along the waterfront on March 16 & 17, 2012, includes the following area: River Street from East Broad Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Festivities in this area include games, food, beverages, and live entertainment. The event itself is free, but partygoers must purchase a wristband ($5) to consume alcoholic beverages on the plaza and inside River Street businesses. Wristbands will be sold at kiosks on the plaza, and at businesses on River Street.
For more details about St Patrick’s Day on Riverstreet, call 912.234.0295 or visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com
The City Market also hosts an Irish celebration with live music, food and fun to celebrate all things Irish in City Market! The festivities begin Saturdayday, March 17th – Saturday, March 19th.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
Don’t miss the parade itself. This year it’s the 188th time for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, so this is one of the oldest in the United States. The parade features bands and marching groups from across the country. Savannah St Patrick’s Day parade starts on March 17, 2012  at 10:15 a.m. Starting at 10:15 a.m. sharp, the three-hour parade consists of over 350 units, including several U.S. military divisions, many award-winning bands, and the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Some of the bands include the 282nd U.S. Army Band (Fort Jackson, S.C.), The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps (Fort Myers, VA), U.S. Coast Guard Pipes and Drums (Norfolk, VA), Irish Air Corps Pipes and Drums (Dublin, Ireland), and many more outstanding marching units.
(Here is the map of the parade route)
For more information visit www.SavannahStPatricksDay.com
The city will double in size for St Patrick’s Day – so plan to come early and stay late. For more information about St Patrick’s Day and places to stay, contact Savannah CVB at 1-877-SAVANNAH
