Saint Patrick’s Day, also known as St. Pat’s or St. Paddy’s Day (but NEVER as St. Patty’s Day! ‘Patty’ is
feminine) is a religious and cultural holiday celebrating the foremost patron saint of Ireland. But what do
you need to know before you visit that most Irish of stateside cities, Savannah GA? We here at
Cobblestone Tours will give you the insiders view of those must-do’s and those don’ts you’d be better off
skipping. We’ve been offering the best St. Pat’s parade since 1824. But first a recap of the parade route!
THE PARADE will start at 10:15 am on Monday, March 17th
2025 at the northbound intersection of
Gwinnett and Abercorn Streets, heading north around Taylor Square (formerly Calhoun Square) and
proceeding north along Abercorn street, around Lafayette and Oglethorpe Squares. The route then turns
east along Broughton Street to East Broad Street, turning north to Bay Street. The parade route will travel
west along Bay Street to Bull Street, where it will turn south onto Bull Street at City Hall. The route will
continue southward on Bull around Johnson Square, Wright Square, Chippewa Square, and will end just
south of Liberty Street very close to Madison Square.
DO understand Savannah’s deep connection with Ireland. Our city was very welcoming to those of Irish
lineage during the 1700s and 1800s. We absorbed that region’s customs, food, traditions, and culture. One
celebration we Savannahians eagerly adopted was celebrating the life and significance of St. Patrick, who
in the fifth century brought Christianity to Ireland.
DON’T forget that while there is a party atmosphere, the holiday is deeply rooted in religion. Please
respect the religious aspect of the holiday for many of Savannah’s residents. St. Patrick, whose name was
Maewyn Succat, was actually British by birth. He was captured by Irish pirates. Escaping slavery after
six years, he became a missionary and priest, and changed his name to Patricius (Latin for ‘Father’). He
returned to Ireland and brought Christ’s teaching to the Irish masses. So the patron saint of Ireland wasn’t
Irish, didn’t come to Ireland willingly at first, and wasn’t even named Patrick. Also, it’s doubtful that
Patricius ever even saw a snake in his lifetime, much less drove all the snakes from Ireland. This story
began as an allegory, with snakes representing the Devil metaphorically. 5th century Ireland was too cold for snakes.
DO make hotel reservations way in advance. Understand that you’re not going to get a river view room
for $100 a night during the festivities. Understand that many hotels have a ‘minimum night’s stay’ policy.
DON’T book your hotel through a third party site and expect a great view or a certain bed configuration.
Third party sites like Priceline and Expedia are notorious for promising certain amenities and then adding
language that in essence means, “if available.”
DO bring proof of a promised amenity if you purchase through a third party site. The hotel may not be
able to rectify things, but you may be eligible for a refund from the third party site.
DON’T drive or fly to Savannah without a rough idea of where you’re going to be sleeping, eating, and
parking. Winging it is a rookie move.
DO make plans to attend events. Have a rough idea what your weekend should be like.
DON’T try to attend everything. Over planning and schedule rigidity only lead to frustration. If you’re
tired, get some rest. If you’ve seen one ‘Greening of the Fountain,’ you don’t need to see them all.
DO eat from one of our many food trucks. The food is fantastic, and the price is right, too. Ask your concierge or hotel front desk staff where to find food trucks.
DON’T expect the Savannah River to be green. If we could dye it green one weekend out of the year, why wouldn’t we dye it blue the other fifty one weeks out of the year? The current is too brisk, and whatever dye they’d use would probably wind up making our shrimping, fishing, and crabbing industries look pretty silly. And gross. Would you eat green shrimp? Me neither.
DO follow local laws and ordinances. If you don’t know if something is permitted, ask a local member of law enforcement.
DON’T jump in the river. Seriously. People do this nearly every year, and most of them die. I can’t say this enough. The river current is swifter than it appears, and it is easy to get swept under where jagged
rocks and broken steel rebar await your tender tourist flesh.
DO update your last will and testament if you disregard our warnings and jump into the river. Can I have your car?
DON’T go anywhere without a government issued ID, even if you’re not drinking.
DO exercise caution in crowds. If someone or something is giving you a weird vibe, better listen to your instincts.
DON’T go anywhere, alone, with anyone you don’t know. Make sure you have your phone, and let people within your group know where you are going, who you are with, and when you should return.
DO keep a dose or two of vital medications or allergy medications on your person, preferably in an accessible but waterproof container. Make someone in your group aware of any medical issues or allergies
that you have.
DON’T accept open containers of alcohol from anyone you don’t know. 99.99% of people are trustworthy, but why become a statistic?
DO keep track of your drink at all times. Savannah is a safe spot to party, but it is still a city, and all cities do have a few folks who might not have your best interests at heart.
DON’T drink green beer. That’s another rookie move. Just go ahead and apply this rule to life in general–
don’t ever drink green beer under any circumstances.
DO feel free to walk anywhere north of Forsyth Park with a plastic cup of alcohol, as long as you’re
legally allowed to purchase and consume beverages of this type, and possess a valid ID.
DON’T attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages for anyone underage or without them possessing a valid
ID. Your group should have one valid ID per open container.
DO listen to bar staff. They have every right to withhold a sale if they determine you’re too intoxicated.
They also have the power to bar you from entry. If they tell you to wait, it’s a fire code issue.
DON’T let fashion overtake common sense and comfort. You will need comfortable shoes, and open- toed shoes are a bad idea (treat every puddle as suspicious). Wear sunscreen, and reapply often. A hat is a good
idea.
DO use hotel restrooms, public restrooms, restaurant restrooms, and porta-potties, whenever these are
available. If it’s clean and the line isn’t too long, use the restroom. Trust me.
DON’T pee (or worse) in public. You will be arrested, and the monetary fine will be substantial. I’m
serious, and so are the cops.
DO bring outfits for all types of weather, even if the weather is forecast to be mild. I’ve experienced St. Patrick’s Day temperatures anywhere from 37 degrees and raining, to 85 and sunny. Expect the unexpected from Savannah’s weather and you’ll seldom be disappointed.
DON’T engage in public nudity. This is a family friendly event, and Savannah law enforcement is quite serious that it remains so. Don’t get arrested because you couldn’t keep things buttoned. By all means you can still flaunt a great body without ditching clothes entirely. Erin Go Bra- less!
DO try the local fare when dining. This means local catch, and if the menu doesn’t specify, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask your waitstaff. Take a little time to educate yourself on what fish and crustaceans are
caught locally. Ask for blue crabs, wild- caught Georgia shrimp, and wild- caught flounder or other wild
catches.
DON’T come all the way to Savannah GA, the home of the freshest seafood on planet Earth, and eat farm- raised shrimp that comes from a filthy pond in Indonesia. Safe to eat? Probably. Good to eat?
Hmmm.
DO be aware that marijuana/ cannabis is not legal in the city. In 2018, Savannah City Council voted to significantly reduce the fine for possessing one ounce or less from what was previously a $1000 fine and
possible 1 year in jail down to $150 and a misdemeanor. However, they stipulated that this was NOT an
attempt to decriminalize cannabis. So a city celebrating being green is still sending mixed messages when
it comes to the green stuff. Roll with caution.
DON’T park illegally. Don’t block alleys or lanes or side streets with your car. You will be towed. It will
be expensive to get your vehicle back. Being forced to get your car back from an impound lot can ruin
your trip. Just don’t.
DO tip your bar staff, wait staff, and concierge. They will really appreciate it. Oh, and especially tip your
tour guide!
PLEASE have a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at Cobblestone Tours!