With rich Irish roots, Georgia is the place for authentic, one-of-a-kind St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
Throughout the week leading into St. Patrick's Day, there will be a slew of festive, long-running events in Savannah, Dublin, Lookout Mountain, Smyrna and Suwanee will attract thousands of green-clad revelers.
Get ready for bona fide Irish celebrations from the “top ‘o the mornin’” until dusk this St. Paddy’s Day. Here are five St. Patrick's Day happening in Georgia worth checking out:
Credit: Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee's website
Credit: Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee's website
Participate in Savannah's St. Patrick's Day festivities
Savannah, Georgia, is home to one of the most anticipated St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the nation and world. Currently, the city's parade is the third largest in the world. Come down to the coastal city to enjoy the festival 10 a.m. to midnight March 16-17, located in Downtown Savannah's bustling City Market and River Street.
Live bands, food stands and drink vendors will be lining the festival's streets. Over 300,000 people are projected to come out to the parade on 10:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 17. The rain or shine procession will feature floats, more than 350 marching groups, Irish dancers and pipe bands.
Immerse yourself in Irish culture in Dublin
Dublin, Georgia's six weeks of St. Patrick's events draw many to the area. Next week, there will be plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday before March 17, such as the 34th Annual Chamber Irish Breakfast, the Exchange Club Pancake Supper and Joint Civic Luncheon. The highly anticipated festivities on St. Patrick's Day will kick off with the Leprechaun Road Race, benefiting local charities, at 8 a.m. Then from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the free St. Patrick's Arts & Crafts Festival will open up to the public at Market on Madison and Bicentennial Plaza with artisans, live music, entertainers and food vendors. The parade will commence at 10:30 a.m. on Jackson Street and continue to Bellevue Avenue with hundreds of floats until 12:30 p.m.
Take a trip to Shamrock City
When the time for corned beef and four-leaf clovers arrive, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, becomes an engaging experience where even the High Falls waterfall turns green. During the 11th annual Shamrock City festival from March 10-18, Rock City Gardens becomes the site for festive entertainment, such as Irish dance performances, Roaming Pipers, artists and the Suffolk Sheep Encounter. Pot of Gold Pavilion, Kettle Corn Shack and the Georgia Winery are a few of the specialty restaurants within the event area. Adult tickets are $22.95 each and child admission (3-12) are $12.95 each.
Party at the Smyrna St. Patrick's Day Fest.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Smyrna, Georgia during their two-day 15th Annual St. Paddy's Day Festival, March 17-18, hosted by Atkins Park & Zucca Pizzeria. Bands, such as Halem Albright Band, The Armory and DJ Jordan J, will be performing on Saturday, and stay tuned for the lineup for Sunday. Family fun happenings like Cornhole ATL and carnival rides will be throughout the fest. Adult tickets are $8 for each day, and kids under 13 can get in free.
Credit: Suwanee Beer Fest's Facebook
Credit: Suwanee Beer Fest's Facebook
Wet your whistle at the Suwannee Beer Fest.
Craft beer will be flowing at the eight annual Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest on March 17, 1- 5 p.m. The 21+ event, which is dubbed as one of the "largest beer fests in the Southeast", will offer unlimited samplings of more than 350 craft beers. A few breweries serving up their brews include Sweetwater, Terrapin, Angry Orchard and Blue Point Brewery. While sipping on cold beers, attendees can enjoy live entertainment from singer Joe Hall, local band The Geeks and Drake Irish Dancers. Food vendors, such as Tex's Tacos and King of Pops, will also be on site. General admission runs between $55-60.
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