Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade turns 186

If there’s one thing Savannah does well, it’s being Irish. It’s a part of the essence of the city, so it’s no surprise that St. Patrick’s Day is the day around which Savannah’s calendar revolves.

The celebration has been known to see as many as 400,000 participants in the past – a number that’s triple the city’s population. Though this year the festival is on a Wednesday, dampening the turn-out, it’s still estimated that there could be 250,000 people present for the festivities.

The parade is generally the focal point for most people’s experiences, but every year the parties carry on well into the day after. River Street and City Market are anticipated to be this year’s hot spots. River Street is always busy, but alterations in alcohol policies in City Market will likely draw crowds.

City Market will have live outdoor entertainment starting March 16 and continuing into St. Patrick’s Day.

River Street, referred to by organizers as the “festival zone,” will require the purchase of wristbands – $5 each – in order to purchase and drink alcoholic beverages. This measure was present last year as well to cut down on underage drinking and raise revenue. Parking will be made available across the river at the Trade and Convention Center, and ferries will provide transportation to River Street.

In order to attract more business during the middle-of-the-week festival, bars and clubs are booking entertainment for the weekend prior to the holiday itself. Expect entertainment to start March 12 evening and carry on through March 13. It will resume on St. Patty’s eve with contests, more entertainment and, naturally, plenty of cold drinks.

Of course, the showpiece of the occasion isn’t the parties. The 186th annual Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off March 17 at 10:15 a.m. It will start on Abercorn Street between Hall and Gwinnett and wind around downtown, eventually finishing at Madison Square. The parade is preceded by the ceremonial mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist at 8 a.m.

Furthermore, AASU spirit has a place in the festivities this year. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in conjunction with the university’s 75th anniversary, AASU is building and operating a float in this year’s parade.

Chris McCarthy, a member of the Computer Science Department’s staff, is in charge of the float’s creation. As his first year in charge of the project, he wants to associate AASU with the Savannah community.

McCarthy said that it’s a way to spotlight the school. With at least a quarter of a million people anticipated at the event, it’s a perfect opportunity. “It’s a way to reach out to a lot of people at one time.”

The specifics of the float are a closely guarded secret, but McCarthy was willing to give out hints.

“It’s a blend of the 75th anniversary with pirates and Irish—it’s a big float.”

He said curious students should keep an eye out. Though the date has yet to be announced, sometime this week there will be a trial run on campus.