Walk the original 1824 Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade route on Saturday

Drew Favakeh, Savannah Morning News
·2 min read

When John Fogarty served as general chairman of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, he wanted to do something special for the 200th St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah.

So, he formed a committee, composed of Irish community members and local city and business leaders to plan special events that he hoped would bring recognition not only to the city's rich Irish heritage but also this once-in-a-lifetime milestone.

After meeting periodically for the last two years, they’ve done just that.

John Fogarty and Kevin Halligan, both chairman of the Committee to Commemorate the 200th St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah, pose for a picture in Johnson Square.
John Fogarty and Kevin Halligan, both chairman of the Committee to Commemorate the 200th St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah, pose for a picture in Johnson Square.

“When I was chairman, you see how important this parade is to the city and to the people,” said Fogarty. “Especially during the time when we didn’t have it, and you saw the excitement when it came back, and I realized how important it is for the whole city and county, and surrounding areas. So, I said, we need to make sure we give this thing some special attention this year.”

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, the Committee to Commemorate the 200th St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah will unveil the 200th St Patrick’s Day Parade Historical Marker at the site, the former Liberty Square, where the first St. Patrick's Day Parade began. Liberty Square is now the Robert E. Robinson Parking Garage, 132 Montgomery St.

There will be a short program to unveil the marker followed by a commemorative walk taking the first parade’s original 1824 route to the old City Hotel, now Moon River Brewing, 21 W. Bay St.

More: 'Family reunion': Savannah's legacy families celebrate return of St. Patrick's Day parade

Kevin Halligan, the co-chair of the Committee to Commemorate the 200th St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah said the historical markers are meant to honor those who started the parade.

“Laying the historical marker where they gathered and the reasons they gathered in 1824, and to commemorate the people who took the first steps to bring the parade and to honor them for something that’s lasted 200 years,” said Halligan.

On March 1, the Committee also will “Turn the City Green,” as multiple locations will change their outside lighting to green, including Savannah City Hall, the Forsyth Park Fountain and Plant Riverside.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Walk the original 1824 Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade route on Saturday