St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, meaning celebrations galore across the United States. One of the largest celebrations that takes place is the City of Savannah St Patrick's Day Parade.
Videos by Wide Open Country
St. Patrick's Day in Savannah is a big deal, and it's no surprise why. Savannah, Georgia has a rich Irish heritage. Irish immigrants flocked to the region after the potato famine in the 1900s. Emmet Park in downtown Savannah, GA is even named after Irish patriot, Robert Emmet.
Tara Reese, the Chairwoman of the Savannah Irish Festival said, "The Savannah Irish are very protective of their Irish history and the origins of the St. Patrick's Day parade."
Today, the local Savannah Irish consider the Celtic Cross Procession the real St. Patrick's Day parade. This is held the Sunday prior to the parade on St. Patrick's Day, and is similar to the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1824.
Tara gave some us some inside history about the parade:
"This procession is a parade of Irish Families and Organizations who march from The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist to the site of the Celtic Cross Monument in Emmet Park."
These same Irish Families and organizations take their place in the more well-known St. Patrick's Day Parade, which happens on March 17th. The St. Patrick's Day festivities include family friendly activities such as live music, local businesses selling wares, parade floats, shamrocks, and more.
Savannah's St Patrick's Day Celebration
The Savannah St. Patrick's Day parade committee is responsible for organizing the massive event. The committee held multiple events this year to help raise money for the Savannah Irish Festival. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, they were not able to raise enough funds for the march through the historic district. This year, with the parade route back in action, first-time parade-goers can celebrate St. Patrick himself with this year's parade.
If you've already missed the greening of the fountain, don't fret, because you can still catch the parade on Saturday the 17th, according to Savannah's parade organizers:
"The BEST St. Patrick's Day Parade in the world that steps off at 10:15 AM at the intersection of Abercorn and Gwinnett and ends at the reviewing stand on Bull and Liberty."
Get out there and go green with the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade!
