Live updates: Savannah St. Patrick's Day vignettes — 'Best experience of my life'
Savannah St. Patrick's Day is always a day to remember in the Hostess City of the South. Locals and tourists alike experience a celebration of the Irish community in Savannah with many folks traveling from far outside the region to participate in the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the United States.
Follow the parade leader's day: Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade 2022 Grand Marshal's Diary
Celebrate like a local: The insider's guide to navigating Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Parade
Scenes from the day: Photos, videos from the 2022 Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival
Here are some of the stories of the 2022 Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade:
Rockin' shamrock glasses outside of Clary's
Penny Smith, head to toe in green and rocking oversized shamrock sunglasses, caught the eye of a passerby who shouted “love your outfit.”
Smith, originally from Illinois, is in town with family, reviving their years long tradition of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah. The group of four have been out and about since 6 a.m., they said.
“For the last two years we haven’t been able to come, so we’re super excited to be here to see all the crazy people and the wonderful parade,” said Smith, who then added, “and the men in kilts!”
— Nancy Guan
'Pre-parade adrenaline flowing' and the Guinness still has that perfect taste
Two years without a St. Patrick's Day parade was long enough for many square squatters to forget the rules.
Tents and chairs popped up on all six squares along the parade route Wednesday night, well ahead of the 6 a.m. Thursday opening. City officials made the rounds Wednesday night reminding the early arrivals they needed to vacate the squares, along with all their belongings, by 10 p.m. All gear left unattended after 10 p.m. was confiscated.
Square veterans started to arrive for set up at 5 a.m. Thursday. At Oglethorpe Square, several dozen regulars were lined up on the curb, with chairs, tables, tents and coolers in hand, and moved in at the stroke of 6 a.m.
"It was good to get that pre-parade adrenaline flowing and to see everybody excited to claim their spot." said Jason Hux, an Oglethorpe Square regular for two decades. "And my pre-sunrise Guinness tasted better than I remembered."
— Adam Van Brimmer
'I felt like I was 7-years-old and it was Christmas' finding a square spot
At 4 a.m., Mary Elizabeth Wooten was ready to embark on what has always been an annual tradition: finding a spot on one of the squares ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
“I was telling people last night I felt like I was 7-years-old, and it was Christmas,” she said.
For Wooten, the holiday is near and dear. She’s been in the parade since she was a kid, and her grandfather, Thomas “Frank” Baker, ran the Jasper Green Ceremony, which honors veterans. A composed Wooten lost her grandfather to cancer a few years ago and said the holiday will always be about family for her.
“When the bagpipes start playing, I may cry.”
— Raisa Habersham
Bainbridge residents make the birthday trip for St. Patrick's
Phalisha Jackson and her family drove five hours from Bainbridge, Georgia, to join in on the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
“We’re here to celebrate my birthday, even though it’s a couple weeks after,” she said as she and family members Patsy McCall and Helen Jackson stood outside their cars on Drayton Street sporting their best St. Patrick’s Day attire. This is the second time they’ve come to see the parade.
— Raisa Habersham
'We're just here to have fun' at parade spot on Wright Square
Walking through Wright Square, Ayanna Robinson and her younger cousins posed for a photo.
“We’re just here for fun,” said Robinson. The Savannah native then scurried to find a spot to watch the parade.
— Raisa Habersham
Savannah resident excited to back on E. Broad spot for parade
Chris Crocker is excited to be back on East Broad Street after three years of St. Patrick’s day cancellations.
The Savannah resident joined lively crowds bunched along sidewalks and medians near the Pirate’s House ahead of Thursday’s parade.
— Zoe Nicholson
The Tipsy Tappers have arrived at the 2022 Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade
The “Tipsy Tappers” have been putting on the ritz in their tap shoes for an entire month. The group of friends began learning a choreographed dance to show off at Thursdays Parade. Their minute-long routine ends in a flourish of shining green wings.
They joined the hundreds of souls lined along E. Broad Street in the minutes before the parade began.
— Zoe Nicholson
Best (oversized) seat on the route
It was hard to miss Hill Lawrence near the end of the parade route on Thursday morning. His extra tall chair made the others around him look like toys.
“I ordered it on Amazon. It’s got six cup holders and a built-in cooler, just in case,” he said, propped up on Liberty Street near the DeSoto Hotel.
Lawrence, who is originally from Dublin, Georgia was celebrating the day with friends and was happy to be back after the two year hiatus.
“It’s incredible. I love it, the comradery and seeing all my friends. It's just good to see people out and about. It’s been a long time coming.”
— Katie Nussbaum
Lost and found
Ann Mayer was on the hunt Thursday morning. The self proclaimed snow bird was asking folks along Abercorn Street if they had found her missing green underwear as she strolled around in a bright green dress tucked into a fake tushy.
“I just went up to four young ladies and said, 'is this lost and found?’ … They were hysterical when they saw the back (of my costume),” she said.
Originally from New Jersey, Mayer said she was happy to see smiling faces on Thursday.
“I thought there would be more people, but I’m happy to have it back. I’m happy to see people’s faces, we don’t have masks on, so I’m feeling a little bit better,” she said.
— Katie Nussbaum
After being moved from favorite spot in Wright Square, these friends are back and ready for St. Patrick's Day
Natalie Schroder, sisters Becca and Rachel Stenfield, and a few friends set up camp at 4 a.m. The Savannah natives were determined to grab a spot on Wright Square near the intersection of Bull and State streets after being moved from their favorite spot of previous years.
“I was like, not this year,” Schroder said under a Georgia Bulldog tent.
The crew enjoyed boozy beverages as they chatted about St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah and fun.
— Raisa Habersham
70 years of St. Patrick's Day celebrations from 'born-and-stayed' local
“Look at these beautiful oak trees, look at the sky!”
Tom Kohler calls himself a born-and-stayed Savannahian, having celebrated nearly every St. Pat’s in his home of 70 years.
“I call this my St. Patrick’s day uniform,” said Kohler, gesturing to his eclectic blend of blazer, head wrap and pleather gloves. “I try to be multidimensional on St. Patrick’s day so I can fit in many places.”
He’s Jewish, but “like everybody else today, I’m Irish,” he said.
— Nancy Guan
Second time's the charm for family looking for a square spot
Tiffany Brown, her husband Cedric, and their 5-year-old daughter attended their first parade in 2019 before the pandemic shut down celebrations for the next two years.
“In 2019, there was no standing room, the squares were completely filled,” she said.
This time, they were able to secure a spot right on the edge of Calhoun Square. Brown said ever since she moved to Savannah, she’s gained a new appreciation for the holiday.
“I don’t know if people really pay attention or focus on the real meaning of St. Patrick’s,” said Brown, “I was one of those that partied and was here for the festivities, but now that I have a daughter I want to be knowledgeable about the holiday.”
— Nancy Guan
Leprechaun enjoys some Carly Rae Jepson
Matt Chase tapped his heels on the sidewalk as “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson blasted from one of the parade floats. He’s in a full leprechaun outfit and handing out Irish blessings engraved on metal coins to parade goers.
Locals and tourists alike approach him for photos and he welcomes them with a smile.
“I love that Savannah is steeped in tradition and Irish families walk in the parade, but we could do with a little more bagpipes,” he laughed, and went right back to dancing.
— Nancy Guan
Savannah resident enjoying the fresh air and fresh looks
Savannah resident Efrain Arcoho was feeling great and looking fresh as he stood along Bay Street Thursday morning.
“I just had it specially made for today. I just thought, you know what, I’ll get a white shirt and white pants and draw my own design,” Arocho said of his matching airbrushed shirt and pants clad with shamrocks.
A sequin hat and dyed green hair rounded out his festive look.
“We got here around 8 a.m. and everything has gone pretty smooth. I usually hang around Bay Street,” he said.
— Katie Nussbaum
Early drinkers make it to Pinkie's
Jim Chambers and friends got an early start to Savannah's biggest party on Thursday.
"We were here right after the doors opened," he said standing outside of famed watering hole Pinkie Masters.
"It's not really St. Patrick's Day in Savannah unless you come to Pinkies."
— Katie Nussbaum
Savannah native enjoys 'special' 'family' day
Jamie Coursey has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah his entire life.
“I mean, for the last two years we haven't had it and today's even more special,” said Coursey, who’s served on the parade committee for 22 years, “after we had to do it the last two years.”
Coursey said despite the thousands who feel different, St. Patrick’s in Savannah is about family.
“It's just a special day, It's a family day. Seeing people, spending it with family. We have cookouts and gatherings… it's not a party day like some people think, it's a family day for our community.”
Coursey was walking in the parade with his wife and fellow committee members.
— Zoe Nicholson
Leprechaun performs magic tricks outside the Cathedral
Zachary Allen came all the way from Ohio to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
The 2022 parade is the fifth one he’s attended. We caught Allen just outside of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Dressed as a leprechaun, he performed magic tricks.
— Bianca Moorman
Alabama residents visit daughter for St. Patrick's parade
Shane Uhl from Daphne, Alabama, plays with his dog Pucca. Uhl has been coming to the parade for more than five years. His daughter lives in Savannah.
— Bianca Moorman
Young parade-goers 'excited' to have parade back after two years
Ferris Key and Emma Jane Moody are enjoying their spring break by helping to guard a booth at the parade. The girls said they have been at the same spot in front of Lafayette Square for the last six years and are excited to be back.
“I really like watching it,” said Key, “and I’m excited to have it after it was canceled for two years.”
— Bianca Moorman
Savannah family excited to see the Irish dancers in the parade
Megan Burns helps her daughters Vivian and Abigail Gulick from Savannah with a toy she just purchased.
Burns has been bringing her children to the parade since they were small. Abigail said she is most excited to see dancing during the parade.
— Bianca Moorman
First time parade watchers enjoy from the Cathedral
Kate Jackson, Sara Collins, Trip Jackson, and Morgan Carter wave as a U.S. Navy float passes. Kate and Morgan brought their children to the parade for the first time and found a place to watch right in front of the Cathedral.
— Bianca Moorman
Float rolls through parade in support of Ukraine amidst Russian conflict
A float in support of Ukraine rolled through the 2022 Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade.
— Nancy Guan
Emergency workers marching celebrate young woman's birthday
A large contingent of Savannah and Orlando emergency personnel walked en masse down East Bay Street, their leader making a beeline for a group of young women, one of whom was wearing a “happy birthday” sash.
The women were pulled into the throng of firefighters and policemen, drawing cheers from the rowdy crowds scrunched onto the sidewalk.
— Zoe Nicholson
Dual citizens of Ireland and USA celebrate St. Pats in Savannah
The Murphy family, who holds citizenship in Ireland and in the United States, was excited to see family and celebrate tradition during the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade.
— Zoe Nicholson
Braves World Series trophy a big hit in Johnson Square
“I’ve been going to (the parade) since I was a wee lad,” the Savannah native said.
Justin Hodges was just feet away from the Braves’ World Series trophy, where he snagged a photo. “It’s great that they brought it down here for the people to see it, take their picture with it, and enjoy that moment.”
— Raisa Habersham
St. Pats and Shaq
Wearing a green Shaquille O’Neal Celtics jersey and a St. Patrick’s Day necklace, Kevin Mauro, 48, is from from New Jersey, and came to visit friends in Savannah for Patrick’s Day.
When asked what his favorite part of the parade was, he said, “I just love the people, the friendliness, everybody gets along, it’s really cool, man.”
— Drew Favakeh
Florida visitor says parade 'fantastic'
Jacqueline Serrano, 39, came from St. Petersburg, Florida, to visit a friend who moved from New Jersey to Savannah.
As "USA" chants rained in the background, she said the military and police marching in the parade made her day.
“It’s awesome, it’s fantastic, this crowd has a lot of people, family fun, but it’s not too, too much, where it’s not too overcrowded,” said Serrano.
— Drew Favakeh
Extended Festival zone views from 37th street to Victory Drive
River Street
SCAD students experience true Savannah St. Patrick's Day
"Honestly, best experience of my life," said Claudio Gervacio, a Savannah College of Art and Design student.
This was the first time Gervacio and her friend Stephanie Sommerfeld had gotten the chance to celebrate St. Patrick's Day since they've attended SCAD. They made sure to get to River Street early to explore the city, find cool, new places and celebrate, even bringing their own portable speaker.
As to whether River Street during St. Patrick's day has lived up to the hype of past years?
"I think it's been crazy, but I thought it was going to be crazier," Sommerfeld said.
– Laura Nwogu
Locals head to River Street to 'enjoy the moment' of St. Patrick's Day weekend
Locals Rafaela Johnson and Ayesha Sinclair are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for the first time in six and four years, respectively.
“We tried to catch as much stuff as we could,” Sinclair said.
Her first St. Patrick’s in Savannah experience has been good so far. “[We’re] just trying to enjoy the moment.” For the rest of the holiday, the two will be walking around River Street to see what other activities are available to experience.
– Eden Turner
Starland Yard
Savannah native heads to Starland to celebrate extended festival zone
Savannah native Marsha Thompson has been celebrating St. Patrick's day in Savannah all her life.
After the parade, she went straight to Starland Yard to wind down and enjoy. She said "it's wonderful" that the city has extended the festival to Victory Drive.
– Laura Nwogu
Longtime residents excited to have St. Patrick's Day 'finally back'
Carole Carr and Charles Stevenson celebrated the 198th St. Patrick’s Day donned in shiny green and gold. Stevenson, who’s been in Savannah since the late 80s, is excited that the holiday is back in action.
The two agreed that the city just wasn’t the same with the lack of celebration. As far as the St. Patrick’s Starland expansion goes, Carr and Stevenson think that it’s brilliant. St. Patrick's Day is "finally back!”
– Eden Turner
Expanded festival zone a hit with this Savannah local
Dan stands outside the Lone Wolf Lounge, preparing himself for another bike ride in the town. He’s celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah for the past two years, and the change between the two has already been significant. “... It’s good today,” he says about the day’s celebrations so far. The Starland District expansion was a great change for Dan, who has more of the city to celebrate in as the remainder of the day arrives.
– Eden Turner
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: 2022 Savannah St. Patrick's Day: Stories from the parade, festival
