Five ways to survive St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah
Written by Erin Krochmalny
St. Patrick’s Day is famed in Savannah as one of the biggest days of the year. Since the holiday is so hectic it pays to be well prepared for the event.
Wake Up Early
To get a good spot and the most out of the day, set your alarms early to watch the parade roll by Abercorn, Broughton, and Bay Street. If the parade is not what you’re looking for then there’s the annual greening of the fountains in Forsyth Park. There will also be a St. Patrick’s Day Fire Ball at the Savannah Fire Station. There will be a meet and greet for Savannah’s beloved Firefighters with some dancing and drinks.
Bring Snacks
Keep in mind that it will be impossible to eat at any restaurant, so have snacks on hand. If you still find yourself looking for somewhere to eat, restaurants south of Liberty and west of Montgomery may have a shorter wait time. Otherwise opt for a home cooked meal, but be sure to go grocery shopping several days in advance. Since the city will be busy, Kroger and Publix are prone to running out of supplies.
Bathrooms and Backpacks
Due to the high traffic of this holiday local businesses will not have restrooms for public use. However, there will be port-a-potties along the parade route. If you’re a SCAD cardholder O-House is close to downtown, and knowing someone in the area is also a place to stop. Besides bathroom annoyances, businesses will not be letting large backpacks inside. So if you’re in a group, one of you will have to stay outside with the large bags.
Walk
Since Savannah parking is already tricky, St. Patrick’s Day only makes it tougher. Even car services such as Uber and Lyft will increase their prices for the holiday. Also, Uber and Lyft are only picking up rides around the outskirts of the parade route. Walking will definitely be the way to go.
Avoiding Crowds
Although the streets and squares of Savannah will be hectic on St. Patrick’s Day, there are some areas with smaller crowds. South of Bay Street will be a quieter, and Forsyth Park is always one of the best places to enjoy some nice relaxation out in the sun.
There will be other events to on St. Patrick’s Day, including a Celtic Cross Ceremony and Reception, an Irish Festival, and an Irish Heritage Dance. For information about the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day Parade visit http://www.savannah.com/st-patricks-day-events-savannah/savannahs-st-patricks-day-parade/
***Featured Image Credit: Savannah.com***
