Cheers to 200 years: Plan ahead and pre-game to enjoy Savannah's St. Patrick's Day with ease

What do a Saturday in Savannah in March, glittery-green beaded necklaces and the number 200 have in common?

The answer: Savannah's 200th St. Patrick's Day Parade Celebration.

Although the 200th anniversary technically falls on March 17, the parade itself will commence at 10:15 a.m. on May 16, 2024.

Since the parade returned in March 2021, our region has experienced significant population growth, predominantly to the south and west. St. Patrick's Day has been an unofficial initiation rite for newcomers to the Hostess City of the South. So, whether you are a transplant or one of thousands visiting for a weekend of green-tinged debauchery or part of a family hoping for a bit (a tiny bit) of wholesome fun, here are a few tips to enjoy St. Patrick's Day like a "from-here":

Claim your space: Brave the Square Dash

From 10 p.m. on March 15 until 6 a.m. March 16, city security guards and officers will usher people out of the squares. So, do not get any ideas about camping out downtown. Yet, some people still loiter well-ahead of the parade day's 6 a.m. all-clear so that they can claim spots.

Veterans of the land rush begin circling squares along the parade route ― Oglethorpe, Lafayette, Johnson, Wright, Madison, Chippewa, and Taylor ― in the wee hours of the morn'. You may catch folks scoping out temporary parking spaces as early as 4 a.m. They may then curl up in their cars for a few hours, awaiting the 6 a.m. whistle. Then comes the unloading phase. Real savvy folks will forgo the seemingly sweet spots alongside the squares and opt for spots a block or two off the parade route. You may need to walk a block or so with this strategy, but it eliminates the need to secure multiple spots. If done adeptly, it can also lead to a speedy exit once the parade has passed.

As you think over what to bring, you may want to practice pack the following in your collapsible wagons or carts to make sure everything fits because you will likely need to carry these items a few blocks from available parking. Acceptable items include:

• Tent

• Chairs

• Plastic or aluminum cups (you can purchase special 200th anniversary parade cups designed by artist Margaret Mulligan)

• Disposable plates and utensils, but no Styrofoam

• Cans or plastic bottles, NO glass

• Coolers and ice

• Snacks, but NO grills to cook

• Cornhole and other games

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Jackets, possibly rain jackets depending on the forecast

• Trash bags (to keep the streets and seating areas clear of your debris)

• Paper towels and toilet paper (the port-a-potty's have been known to run out)

Keep Savannah clean by tossing your bagged trash into extra receptacles provided by the city. Look for yellow bins with black tops for recycling plastic, paper and aluminum.

Also be sure to to check out the City of Savannah's webpage, especially related to the Control Zone set for March 15 and 16.

Pre-game with a hearty breakfast

Once you've secured your real estate, take turns with your square mates to seek out sustenance. The DeSoto Savannah on Madison Square hosts an annual breakfast buffet for $35 a person (Bloody Marys and Irish coffee available) that provides a wristband that grants access to its restrooms throughout the day ― worth every penny. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. and the breakfast of scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, applewood-smoked bacon, and stoneground grits is served until 10:30 a.m.

Savor Kegs & Eggs at McDonough's Restaurant and Lounge, 21 E. McDonough St., which sits along the parade route and serves a heaping Southern-style breakfast starting at 7 a.m.

Or pop by the storied Clary's Cafe, 404 Abercorn St., for corn beef hash eggs benedict. Doors open early at 7 a.m.

Another longtime parade morning favorite is the annual pancake breakfast at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, located at 429 Abercorn St. adjacent to Taylor Square. The doors open at 7 a.m., and proceeds go toward the church's youth programs and mission trips.

P(r)ay reverence

Lest we forget amid the revelry the true spirit behind St. Patrick's Day, Mass at Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist begins at 8 a.m. March 16. March 17 falls on a Sunday this year so the parade is observed the day before, but otherwise March 17 is a religious holiday that has been observed for more than a thousand years on the Emerald Isle.

During the fifth century, Saint Patrick was kidnapped in his native Britain at the age of 16 and enslaved in Ireland until he escaped. He returned and is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. March 17 marks the anniversary of the death of Ireland's patron saint.

Many revelers may hear that Saint Patrick is known for driving the snakes out of Ireland. However, like George Washington's cherry tree, that story is an outright myth.

Take care of business

It's important to stay hydrated, especially when quaffing green beers and cheersing Jameson under the bright Savannah sun. But, responsibly drinking also makes finding a public restroom a priority. Many businesses are closed, and most do not allow their restrooms to be used by non-patrons.

Some veteran celebrants reserve porta potties for their crews for about $100 to $125 a day, set them on flatbed trucks parked off-square (the city prohibits them in the squares), and hand out wristbands to monitor who can and cannot use them.

It may sound extreme, but it's the difference between comfort and discomfort, long lines and no lines, especially when small children are among your crowd.

Get a Room

After two years of post-COVID parades, Savannah seems poised for one of its infamously well-attended parties in honor of the sanctified Catholic. A recent market forecast and update report by Savannah's Tourism Leadership Council shows hotel occupancy projections for March 15 and 16 are 99%, or the highest projection that the Tourism Leadership Council publishes, according to CEO and President Michael T. Owens.

Occupancy projections dip a bit for March 17 to around 90%. Owens noted that "the forecast is for all of Chatham County, including Savannah, Pooler and Tybee." He also pointed out that, "a TOOOONNNN of our participants in the Celebration of St. Patrick are locals, their friends and family, and regional day trippers from Bryan, Bullock, Effingham, Liberty, and other surrounding communities."

In other words, there is likely to be a crowd even if the current weather projections calling for scattered thunderstorms on March 16 hold true.

Behave

Notably, the Savannah Police Department (SPD) saw the lowest arrest numbers in years at the 2023 parade. An arrest report from last March stated that there were 12 arrests in the event zone during the two-day celebration. Comparatively, 2022 saw 17 arrests, 33 in 2019, 20 in 2018 and 54 in 2017. The totals do not include arrests by SPD's Traffic Unit or Georgia State Patrol.

Revelers should designate sober drivers or use rideshare companies to curb drinking and driving incidents. At a minimum, a DUI could cost you $10,000 and the loss of driving privileges.

Find an appropriate venue to alleviate your bladder, or risk arrest for public urination and public indecency along with a hefty fine.

All in all, behave and have fun. The best way to do both is to be prepared.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Pre-parade pointers to enjoy Savannah's 200th St. Patrick's Day parade