Gloomy, wet weather can't put a damper on the Irish spirit -- especially on St. Patrick's Day. Though chilly and wet this year Savannah, Georgia's St. Patrick's day was filled with fun, fountains and families. Kilted pipers and Irish Society members marched amid cheers and sips of green beer.
Traditionally called the second largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the USA after Boston, MA, Savannah hosts between 300,000 to 600,000 spectators during the multi-day event.
Though the crowd can be rowdy at times, the partiers tend to segregate from the families. Savannah Police stated that "officers remained very busy throughout the evening hours watching what became a very large, boisterous crowd that seemed intent on making up for lost time" caused by the weather.
"While the party was exuberant, officers remained on the outskirts ensuring that things didn’t get out of control."
For most of the parade route the family atmosphere was dominant. The closer one's proximity to Savannah's historic River Street the more lively the crowd became.
The Savannah St. Patrick's Day celebration started in 1813 when the Hibernian Society, a group of Protestant Irish, formed the first parade.
The early 1960s brought an attempt to emulate Chicago's green river. A miscalculation at best, after hundreds of gallons of green dye was dumped into the Savannah River by Coast Guard boats a problem was evident.
The Chicago River is shallow and slow running. The Savannah River can be 40 feet deep in places and demonstrates an outgoing tide of up to nine knots.
The investment in dye was quickly swept out to the Atlantic. The feat was never attempted again. The Irish know the value of a dollar, especially when applied to green dye.
Today the fountains in town shine with the iridescent emerald color, far less costly than the total spent in the 60's.
Though most Irish -- and those who are Irish for a day -- do not wear kilts, there were plenty on hand for the celebration.
The Police Emerald Society of Southeast Georgia turns onto Savannah's historic Bay Street during the 2005 Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Member Billy Ray, right, sports his green glengarry with an angel harp pin.
One-year-old Tara McCormick, left, and her five-year-old sister Morgan, above, don their Irish Caubeens to celebrate in Savannah's Wright Square.
Celebrating Celtic societies and their effects upon the world
Savannah police captain Larry Branson, above, works the parade route on Bay Street, one block from historically rowdy, River Street. Members of the Irish Air Corps Pipe Band, right, from Dublin, Ireland march down Bull Street in their saffron kilts.
Florida Leprechaun, Phil Wheeler Worsham makes his way to the parade startin point.
A vendor's cart, left, displays "Irish" beads along the parade route. Parade Grand Marshall Daniel J. Sheehan, below, leads parade committee members along Abercorn Street.
Copyright SavannahKilts.com/J Byous Co. 2005, all rights reserved.
Keeping dry on the outside, Derek Edwards, Bryan Brown and Chris Brown, above, enjoy the community atmosphere of the parade. Kiss me I'm Slovak, right, Lenny Gecik proves that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day.
Musical talent included"irish bands along with other celtic performers, many vendors and lots of fun."
Celtic Culture in Pennsylvania Pocono's
The Irish Cultural Society Stepdancers also performed . Stepdancing teacher Maureen King conducted Ceili lessons in the lodge.
Tickets for next year will be available by contacting the ICS or at the gate. Gate admission is $12 for Adults and age 13 and over. Seniors 62 years and older. $10. Children 6 to 12 $5, under 5 years are free.
