Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah

Note: This story was originally published in March 2008. See sidebar for 2009 parade information.

Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah! This year’s parade begins at 10:15 a.m. on March 14. More than 400,000 people are expected to visit the city to help celebrate the second-largest St. Pat’s parade in the United States.

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Stephen Morton / AP file

Amanda Smith carries her pooped pup, Missy, during a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah. Savannah hosts the second largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the nation. This year, the parade falls on March 14.

2009 Parade Information
What: 185th St. Patrick's Day parade
Where: Savannah
When: Tuesday, March 17, 10:15 a.m.
Who: More than 400,000 visitors are expected for the celebration.
More info: Web site

You’ll notice that St. Patrick’s Day falls on March 17 on the calendar. Why the change? Easter Sunday falls on March 23, which means St. Patrick’s Day officially falls on the first day of Holy Week. To avoid the conflict, the Catholic Dioceses of Savannah moved the date for Savannah’s most popular festival.

Not up your Irish lore? A quick history lesson, courtesy of the official Web site of the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade committee, savannahsaintpatricksday.com

“By the end of the 7th century Patrick had become a legendary figure, and the legends have continued to grow since then. There are many legends associated with St Patrick. It is said that he used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity; which refers to the combination of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Hence its strong association with his day and name. Legend also has that, Saint Patrick had put the curse of God on venomous snakes in Ireland. And he drove all the snakes into the sea where they drowned.

“True, these are mostly legends. But, after some 1500 years, these legends have been inseparably combined with the facts. And together they have helped us know much about the saint and the spirit behind celebration of the day.

“Patrick’s mission in Ireland lasted for over 20 years. He died on March 17, AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick’s Day ever since. The day’s spirit is to celebrate the universal baptization of Ireland. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. Or, rather, ‘be an Irish Day.’ And the Irish has borne it as part of their national tradition in everywhere they populated and prospered.”

OK, now you know the background, here’s some real-time information if you want to go.

The Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau — www.savannahvisit.com/visitors.asp — has a Scenic Tour link at the top of the page to show you a few of the places to see, including parks and historic mansions. Care for a carriage ride, fishing charter, game of golf or tour of historic homes? Look under Attractions. Then browse through Savannah Secrets for must-see spots. And if the accommodations listed at the festival Web site are full, the visitors bureau offers a more extensive directory of inns, hotels and even campgrounds.

Outside the city, check the visitors bureau’s Day Trips page. One of the destinations listed is Tybee Island — tybeevisit.com — just east of Savannah, an area of beaches and nature walks and places to eat and shop. Look under Outdoors & Recreation for a place to rent a sea kayak or get a lesson, and links to water-sports suppliers and bicycle renters. Check out the ocean view from the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion, listed under Attractions, and click on Visitors Guide for info on the island’s 5-mile-long beach. Get a map at Tybee Island Online — www.tybeeisland.com — and pick up more details on charters and motels and shops and galleries.

This holiday generally involves singing, so here are the lyrics to at least one song you should know. savannahsaintpatricksday.com/songs.html

While you’re there, visit the Tybee Island Light Station — www.tybeelighthouse.org — at the entrance to the Savannah River. The photo tour is short but worth a glance, especially the sunset shot.

Next to Tybee Island on Cockspur Island, Fort Pulaski National Monument — www.nps.gov/fopu — preserves a fortification that fell in a key Civil War bombardment. Along with the fort, the island has hiking trails, its own lighthouse and places to fish.

Pick up more possibilities for your visit to Savannah by going to the regional section of Georgia’s official travel Web site — www.georgia.org/travel/discover.

• Go online to find the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parties nationwide

• Photos: Savannah’s 2008 St. Patrick’s parade

• Photos: Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day worldwide

• Savannah travel guide

• St. Patrick’s Day events around Atlanta

• Places to eat and drink like the Irish

• Irish/St. Patrick’s-theme foods

• Green drinks and more