St. Patrick’s Day is a big event in Savannah.  Last year the estimate was a quarter of a million people watching the parade on Saturday, and a million enjoying the festivities that night.  I’m going to give you a pictorial taste of the week for me.

All of the fountains were dyed green for St. Patrick’s week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The red bud trees and azaleas were in full bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People started claiming their spaces the day before the parade.  I took a walk at about noon and realized I’d better claim a spot if I wanted us to be on the front row for parade-watching.  Some folks had their chairs tied together with locked cable.  Others were less secure.  I went with the less secure version. . . . duct tape.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade – which was on Saturday, March 16th instead of the usual 17th because in Savannah there’s no marching on Sunday – involved mostly groups walking or marching.  Bands, pipe and drum corps, military groups, Shriners, Irish families.  The highlight for me was the Budweiser Clydesdales (this group is based in Merrimack, NH, really close to my sister’s house).  It’s a leisurely parade, and the participants interact a lot with the spectators.  Everyone is laid back and having a good time (at least on the family end of the parade where we were, at Abercorn and Gaston).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Forsyth Park area calmed down immediately after the parade.  Since I’m not into big crowds with lots of people drinking all night – plus I was tired – I don’t have any photos of the big party down in the River Street and City Market areas.  THAT’S where the party always is.

River Street the next day was still hopping, but there wasn’t a party atmosphere, just folks out enjoying the afternoon.

Savannah is always a special city, but it really puts the green on for St. Patrick’s Day and is an especially friendly, fun place to be.