Events, parking, what to wear: What you need to know about Savannah St. Patrick's Day 2023
The countdown to the 199th Savannah St. Patrick's Day celebration has begun - and without a lingering threat from the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 festivities.
The signature event, the parade, dates to 1824. Over the decades, what began as a procession of Irish-American families following a Catholic Mass has become a community-wide event. It is widely acknowledged as the third largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the United States, behind only New York City and Chicago.
The parade is just the culmination of the St. Patrick's season in Savannah. The parade committee, comprised of approximately 800 Savannah men, met Feb. 26 and elected a grand marshal, George Schwarz. The group publicly introduced Schwarz to the community March 5 with an investiture ceremony. More events are ahead leading up to March 17
Here's what to know as Savannah's greenest day approaches.
Savannah St. Patrick's Day events calendar
March 9: Honoring of deceased grand marshals; 4 p.m. at The Catholic Cemetery on Wheaton Street
* Honoring the Grand Marshal that would be celebrating his 50th Anniversary, this year we will be honoring the 1973 Grand Marshal, Aloysius J. Handiboe, Jr.
Meet the 2023 grand marshalFrom white jacket to green, Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade grand marshal earned the honor
March 10: Greening of the Fountain; noon at Forsyth Park Ffuntain
* Ceremony to celebrate the greening of the water in the city's fountains
March 11: Tybee Irish Heritage Parade, 3 p.m. along Butler Avenue
March 12: Celtic Cross Mass; 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
* Mass honoring the Irish immigrants that settled in the U.S. and specifically Savannah
March 12: Celtic Cross procession: 12:45 p.m. along the parade route through the Old Fort area to Emmet Park
* Parade of Irish families and organizations to the Celtic Cross Monument in Emmet Park on Bay Street.
March 12: Celtic Cross ceremony; 1:30 p.m. in Emmet Park
* Formal ceremony honoring the Irish in Savannah from the past, present and future.
March 12: Celtic Cross reception; 2:30 p.m. at the Charles Morris Center
* Ticketed reception in celebration of the Celtic Cross.
March 16: Sgt. William Jasper Green parade and ceremony; 4 p.m., starting in Johnson Square and finishing in Madison Square
* Ceremony honoring Sgt. William Jasper Green and all military.
March 17: Feast Day Mass of St. Patrick; 8 a.m. at Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
* Daily mass celebrating the feast day of St. Patrick
March 17: St. Patrick Day parade; 10:15 a.m. in Savannah Historic District
* The parade starts at the intersection of Abercorn and Gwinnett streets and ends at the reviewing stand at Bull and Liberty streets.
Where to watch
The parade route snakes almost three miles through Savannah's Historic District.
The six squares along the parade route are popular viewing spots and the favorite of longtime attendees and families, many of whom set up picnics. The squares open at 6 a.m. on March 17, and most of the parade frontage is claimed by 6:01 a.m.
Spectators line the sidewalks along the parade route as well, and lawn chairs and pop-up tents are permitted so long as they do not totally obstruct the pedestrian right-of-way.
Bleacher seating is available for purchase at several points along the parade route, most notably along Bay Street, next to Colonial Cemetery and in front of the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Corporate seating is also available and can accommodate groups of up to 50 people.
Bathroom facilities
Hundreds of portable toilets are available to the public at points near the parade route. Public facilities are also located at Forsyth Park adjacent to the café, at Ellis Square and at the River Street Visitors Information Center.
Where to park
City-owned surface lots and parking garages are open on parade day, although some will be difficult to access after 8 a.m. because of road closures near the parade route.
On-street parking in legal spots is permitted unless otherwise posted. Those illegally parked will be ticketed and can be towed in some instances, such as cars parked along the inside of squares off the parade route.
Both Chatham Area Transit and Kelly Tours operate shuttles from remote locations. Visit their sites for details. Also, the Savannah Convention Center parking lot on Hutchinson Island is available and links to River Street and the parade route via the free Savannah River ferries.
Here's what to expect in 2023 parade: No Clydesdales but a record number of floats and bagpipers for St. Patrick's Day parade
What to wear
Green, lots of green. And layers, lots of layers, as the weather and the temperatures can swing wildly in mid-March in Savannah. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as most attendees park at a distance. Also, sunglasses and hats. Beaded necklaces and other "flair" items are popular as well.
No kissing: Paradegoers asked not to smooch on soldiers at St. Patrick's Day Parade
What to bring
The parade typically lasts three hours or more. At a minimum, attendees should bring folding chairs, water and snacks. Coolers are permitted, with the exception of those made from Styrofoam because of the litter created when they break.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah St. Patrick's Day 2023: Events, what to know, what to wear
