St. Patrick’s Day in
Savannah, Georgia

It’s that magical time of year again. The fountains are green, the beer is green, and there is a lovely dusting of green pollen covering every car hood and street sign. Yes friends, St. Patrick’s Day is upon us. Who’s ready for an Irish Carbomb!? Most editors of Aint–Bad have spent at least one St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah. Some of us snapped pictures along the way. One year I was commissioned by Vice to take pics of the chaos, it was tight. But all fun aside, this holiday in Savannah is celebrated passionately by locals and tourists alike. Really these people are not fucking around. If you aren’t wearing green, you could very likely get pinched or punched… Most companies are closed, it’s a paid holiday for lots of locals, which means I am getting paid to drink right now as you read this. It really aint-bad and if you are looking for a unique southern experience next March, consider booking a trip to Savannah. I’ll buy you a green beer and take a picture of you throwing up after. Check some formal wiki text below along with photos from our team over the last few years. Cheers!

From Wikipedia :

One of the largest parades is held in Savannah, Georgia. The parade held in Savannah is the largest in Georgia. Many Irish settled in Savannah even in the earliest years since those freed from debtors’ prison were invited to join General James Oglethorpe‘s fledging colony. There is a Mass at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist prior to the parade. In the early 1960s, there was an attempt to dye the Savannah River green, but all it produced was an irregular green stripe in the middle of the river. The parade organizers claimed an expected attendance of around 400,000 for 2011. In 2006, the Tánaiste was featured in the parade. The parade travels through Savannah’s Historic District. One tradition that has developed has been the official “dyeing of the fountains” which happens several days before the parade.

Some confusion exists about the year of the first Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah. There is some evidence that a private parade was held by “an unidentified group” referred to as “Fencibles” on 17 March 1813. Another source states that the first St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Savannah was held in 1818. However, it is generally accepted that the first publicly held Saint Patrick’s Day procession was in 1824, organized by the Hibernian Society.

The 2012 Parade included over 360 participants making it the largest parade in the history of the City of Savannah. Organizers say that the 2012 crowd was well over a million people.

 

Thanks to Kelia, Parker, and Taylor for sending me some photos of past year’s celebrations. I wish that the whole Aint–Bad team could be here this year so we could finally see who can chug a 24oz of PBR the fastest.

P.S. Don’t call me tomorrow. I will be hungover and watching Seinfeld in bed.