Irish traditions live on in the United States and St. Patty's Day has become a national celebration with festivals and parades similar to those in Dublin. New York has been known for hosting the largest annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in America since 1762. Chicago celebrates annually with a parade, coloring the Chicago river green, and serving green beer. However, not many people realize that down south, Savannah, Georgia also contributes to having one of the largest St. Patrick's parades.

Rich in Irish heritage, Savannah will host their 189th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 16th at 10:15pm. Over a million people are expected to attend the three hour patriotic parade which will consist of 350 units, several of them U.S. Military divisions, award winning bands from across the nation, lots of  floats displaying the color of emerald green featuring anything Irish from leprechauns and pots of gold to four leaf clovers. There will be Irish pipes and drums and the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Savannah's celebrations actually begin two weeks prior to the Parade, with an Irish Festival. Some of the traditional events going on throughout the two weeks include, the Greening of the fountain in Forsyth Park on March 8, followed by the Irish Heritage Dance. Tara Feis, a family oriented festival featuring traditional Irish dancing, live performances by local folk singer, Harry O'Donoghue, magicians, street musicians and topping the lineup, the award winning Irish band RUNA. The festival will be held at Emmett Park on March 9.

For those who may prefer a day at the beach, nearby Tybee Island will have a parade at 3pm also on March 9.

Traditional religious Irish events will include: Celtic Cross Mass and Ceremony, March 10; and Sergeant William Jasper Green Ceremony, March 15; and on the morning of the parade, Mass will be held at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in historic downtown Savannah.

Savannah, Georgia is a national treasure filled with the history of our ancestors, not only from Europe, but all across the globe. Known for the beautiful colonial homes and parks in the historic district, Savannah's rich culture includes some fine museums, theaters, shops and restaurants.

With a relatively mild climate compared to New York and Chicago, attending the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and festival in beautiful Savannah seems to be a more desirable alternative.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, luck o' the Irish to you, and hope you soon find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

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