Travel Experiences: Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Savannah, Georgia

Nine years ago this March, my husband and I embarked on a cruise of a lifetime. We had bought a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and were bringing her home to New England. After traveling out in the Atlantic Ocean for several days, we decided to "stop and smell the roses" and cruise in the more protected waters of the Intracoastal Waterway or ICW, a part canal, part natural waterway that runs from Miami, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia.

Our timing couldn't have been more perfect, as spring was in the air at every port of call we visited. This was our first time in the South. We had no idea what to expect, but we were about to experience the gracious southern charm and hospitality that the south is synonymous with. We pulled into a marina at Thunderbolt, a small town 5 miles southeast of downtown Savannah. We had planned to stay for a day or two. The marina manager insisted that we stay the week so we can celebrate the upcoming St. Patrick's Day in Savannah. To entice us further, he gave us two complimentary nights at the marina. How could we refuse the generosity and the chance to experience such a fun festival? Every morning, the daily newspaper and a box of six melt-in-your-mouth Krispy Kreme donuts were delivered to our boat. It was a nice touch, even though we had to give most of the donuts away.

The marina manager was right about Savannah having one of the best, if not the best, St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the country. We didn't know this at the time, but it is Savannah's largest annual celebration, and the second largest St. Patrick's Day event in the United States, with over 400,000 people attending. That is an impressive number considering the population of Savannah is only 132,410 (as of July 2008), according to city-data.com.

Savannah celebrates Saint Patrick's Day like it is New Year's Eve, only without the fireworks at midnight. Revelers go all out and dress rather outrageously, just begging to be seen. Many not only color their hair, they color their dogs as well! City water fountains are dyed green, and vendors sell all kinds of stuff with a shade of green. And when even the local Chinese restaurant garnished their rice with specks of green, you get the feeling that this festival is big.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah is held on March 17 every year. This year's parade will be its 186th edition, celebrated with glorious floats, pipe and marching bands, and Irish good cheer. Several streets in the downtown area will be closed to traffic for the famous parade. As you wander the streets to stake out a perfect spot to watch the parade, you walk through beautiful squares dotted with majestic moss-draped oak trees and blooming azaleas. Spring is in the air, and it is absolutely gorgeous.

After the parade, the celebration continues at both City Market and River Street with live music and dancing. The cobblestone River Street overlooking the Savannah River, is lined with pubs, restaurants, and shops. Throngs of party-goers congregate here for live entertainment, contests and games. To consume alcohol outside the restaurants, you need to buy a wristband and must be over 21 years. People cavorting to live music, boats gliding by, River Street is the best place to watch Savannah in its most festive mode.

We loved Savannah's St Patty's Day celebration so much we went again the following year. After hosting the parade 185 times, Savannah does a mighty fine job and sure knows how to throw a party and have a jolly good time. Y'all have fun. Cheers!

Resources:
city-data.com
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Intracoa.html