Annual Events & Festivals
You’ll know it’s March if you choose this month to arrive in Savannah. The flowers will be in full bloom, painting the town with blazing colors. Strolling locals will shed their winter coats in exchange for green sweaters. Irish tunes will ring from the walls of St. Vincent’s Academy as the girls practice their salute to the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshall. Sidewalks will be adorned with green and white souvenirs that spill out of shops proclaiming that the day is upon us. Closer to March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day), fountains will turn to green, and the demeanor of Savannahians will turn from ho-hum to jovial. It’s a time when the Irish Catholic community comes together, and those who aren’t join in the festivities.
On the morn of St. Patrick’s Day, even the most introverted will come out. Adorned with everything from “boingy” shamrocks to green beads, green and white buttons, and fake beards and moustaches, some celebrants even dye their dogs green. On St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, people eat green grits and drink green beer, which tends to make some of them feel a wee bit green the morning after. On St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, people give themselves over to a wonderful green giddiness that permeates the atmosphere. I’m convinced that you’ll love it!
Annual Events & Festivals
Savannahians love to party. They love their history. They also love getting outdoors and taking advantage of coastal Georgia’s congenial climate. Is it any wonder, then, there’s almost always something going on in Savannah? That something might be a festival attracting thousands of people or the commemoration of a historic event drawing a few hundred, but a week seldom passes in which there’s nothing to do in Savannah.
We admit things slow down a tad during the summer months because of the heat, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get out and enjoy yourself. Grab your suntan lotion, cooler, and lounge chair, and head for a day at the beach on nearby Tybee Island, just as Savannahians have been doing for more than a century.
Savannah’s biggest party is its celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, a green-hued blast bringing about a half-million visitors to the city in mid-March. It’s such a big deal we’ve devoted an entire chapter to it. But because we want to be sure you don’t miss any of the fun, we’ve included in this chapter’s brief looks at significant happenings on that great day for the Irish and the days leading up to it.
Overview
As we indicated earlier, finding a parking space in Savannah can be a hassle, and the problem intensifies when a festival is held in the downtown area. It’s a good idea—particularly if you’re attending an event on River Street, where parking is extremely limited—to arrive early, find a spot on a street or in a lot a few blocks from the festival, then hoof it to your destination. Savannah is a city that’s ideal for walking, and your stroll to and from the festival could be one of the most enjoyable parts of your day.
We need to mention one other thing before taking you through our month-by-month rundown of events and festivals: Dates, times, and admission fees can change, so it’s best to call ahead for the most current information. The telephone numbers included with the following write-ups are the numbers of the individuals, organizations, or agencies sponsoring or coordinating the events.
1. Emancipation Day Service
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 234-6293, (912) 236-3173
Description: By holding a special church service on New Year’s Day, Savannah’s Emancipation Association commemorates the signing of the proclamation that ordered the freeing of slaves in the Confederate states. During the 11 a.m. gathering, held at a different church each year, a participant reads the Emancipation Proclamation, a mass choir sings hymns, and speakers deliver addresses concerning the significance of that historic day in 1863. Call for additional information.
2. Martin Luther King Jr.Observance Day Activities
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 234-5502
Description: This month-long tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. features a parade through downtown starting at 10 a.m. on the third Monday in January, the national day of observance for King Day. The observances wind up with the Freedom Ball at the Savannah Civic Center on the last Friday of January. For more information or for the parade route and schedule, visit www.Savannahnow.com or call the number above.
3. Heart And Stroke Gala
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 790-2900
Address: 7130 Hodgson Memorial Drive
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
5. Black Heritage Festival
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 351-6320
Description: Various musical groups entertain with performances of gospel, reggae, blues, and jazz, and craftspeople gather at the Savannah Civic Center on the Grand Festival Day (a Saturday) to sell items related to African culture during this event, which is held during a week in early Feb. Funded by Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs this event is star-studded with local celebrities and usually starts at noon and ends at 4 p.m. The concert portion of the show highlights the multifaceted contributions of African Americans in the areas of music, the performing arts, and cuisine. Admission is free. Stay tuned to the website for news of the current year’s event.
6. Super Museum Sunday
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 651-2125
Description: More than 40 of the area’s museums, educational institutions, and historic homes open their doors and invite the public in at no charge during this event, which serves as an activity of the Georgia History Festival (once known as the Georgia Heritage Celebration and Georgia Days) and always occurs on the Sunday before Georgia Day. Hours are from noon until 4 p.m. To determine if a specific museum participates in this program, contact the museum ahead of time.
7. Colonial Faire & Muster At Wormsloe
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 353-3023
Address: 7601 Skidaway Rd.
Description: Historical reenactors clad in the garb of Georgia’s colonists make music and demonstrate craft skills, such as making candles and musket balls, at this program held in an open area near the marsh overlooking the Skidaway River. At the visitor center, you can view artifacts excavated from Wormsloe’s tabby ruins and watch an audiovisual show about the founding of the 13th colony. The program takes place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the first Sat and Sun in Feb. Admission is free.
8. Savannah Irish Festival
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 651-6556
Description: This family-oriented event uses song, dance, and recitation to emphasize the heritage of the Irish and the contributions of Irish immigrants here and throughout the United States. In addition to the main stage, where much of this activity takes place, there are stages for children’s entertainment and readings and discussions involving Irish culture and history. Vendors market Irish clothing, jewelry, and artifacts, and members of local Irish organizations prepare and sell food, including shepherd’s pie, Irish stew, and other ethnic dishes. The festival is on the second or third weekend in Feb from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sat, and from noon until 7 p.m. on Sun. Admission to the festival is $12 per day or $16 for a two-day ticket. Children age 4 and younger are admitted free.
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
10. Grand Marshal Investiture Ceremony
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 233-4804
Address: 15 East Liberty St.
Description: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee presents the parade grand marshal with his sash and recognizes civic dignitaries at this ceremony. The event takes place at 2:45 p.m. on the first Sunday in March, one week after the committee elects the leader of the parade. There is no charge for admission.
11. Celtic Cross Ceremony
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 233-4804
Description: Members of the city’s Irish organizations gather at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist for mass at 11:30 a.m. on the second Sunday of the month, then march in procession to Emmet Park, where they lay a wreath at the Celtic Cross and listen to a speech about their heritage. The cross, officially named the Irish Monument, was carved from a single piece of Irish limestone in County Roscommon, Ireland. The Savannah Irish Monument Committee erected the Celtic Cross in 1983, the 250th anniversary of the founding of Savannah and Georgia, to commemorate Georgians of Irish ancestry. The ceremony starts about 1 p.m., and it’s open to the public.
12. Tara Feis
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 651-6417
Description: The city of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs puts the emphasis on family-oriented activities at this Irish festival on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. Irish music and dancing, crafts demonstrations, storytelling, and poetry recitations fill the spotlight. Youngsters can participate in hands-on activities with a Celtic touch and enjoy carnival rides. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in an effort to enhance the family-day atmosphere. The event, in sun-dappled Emmet Park, runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., and admission is as free as the Irish mist on a day in Killarney. In case you’re wondering, feis is pronounced “fesh.”
13. Sgt. William Jasper Memorial Ceremony
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 233-4804
Description: On the eve of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the parade grand marshal and his aides recognize the contributions of the military by walking from Johnson Square down Bull Street to Madison Square, where they lay a wreath at the monument honoring Revolutionary War hero William Jasper. A band or two that will be participating in the parade, often bagpipers, usually accompanies them. A 21-gun salute is fired during the ceremony, which occurs about 4:30 p.m.
14. St. Patrick’S Day Parade
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 233-4804
Description: Savannah’s biggest annual event lasts upwards of four hours and involves thousands of participants. Some 250 units take to the streets for the parade, including marching bands, floats, and the city’s numerous Irish organizations. The parade starts about 10:15 a.m. at Forsyth Park and winds its way around several of Savannah’s squares and down its main thoroughfares.
15. St. Patrick’S At City Market
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (912) 232-4903
Description: City Market celebrates the big day with live music and dancing in the courtyard. This laid-back party occurs over a span of time that includes St. Patrick’s Day and can last as long as five days, depending on when the holiday falls. On St. Patrick’s Day, the bands crank up as soon as the parade passes nearby. It’s free.