Savannah preps for St. Patrick's Day parade Monday, expecting smaller turnout than 2024 bicentennial

Caption

Savannah City Manager Jay Melder speaks at a press conference on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the city's traffic control center about the upcoming St. Patrick's Day parade.

Credit: City of Savannah

Crowds of visitors are set to descend on downtown Savannah this weekend as the city prepares for its annual St. Patrick's Day parade set for Monday morning, one year after celebrating its 200th anniversary in what has become one of the busiest such parades in the U.S.

Speaking at a press conference Wednesday on logistics around the festivities, Savannah City Manager Jay Melder said that the procession — scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. — will likely draw smaller crowds than last year's boisterous bicentennial, which he noted was able to produce even greater turnout as it took place on a Sunday rather than on a weekday.

"But, we still expect tens of thousands of people," Melder said. "I was walking around Bay Street [Tuesday] night at about 9:30, and it seemed like some of the party was already getting started."

Revelers won't see any changes to the parade's usual 2.5-mile route, which begins just east of Forsyth Park at the corner of Gwinnett and Abercorn Streets, winds through the cobblestone streets of Savannah's downtown Historic District, and ends at Madison Square.

New this year will be the implementation of the Savannah Police Department's Fusus surveillance system, allowing businesses and residents to voluntarily share their security camera feeds in real time with officers and city staff at a centralized public safety command post.

Another departure from last year: no more "speed court" — the city's nickname for a special slate of expedited bond hearings in Chatham County, in which those arrested over St. Patrick's Day weekend could see a judge the same day in order to potentially make bail ahead of the parade.

With speed court not in session, "it's a pretty good incentive not to be a knucklehead over the weekend, or [else] your accommodations are going to be quite different," said Melder, referring to the Chatham County Jail, "until a judge can see you on Monday morning."

As in years past, fines will be increased for local ordinance violations committed during the parade, ranging from $90 for smoking in an enclosed public place to $250 for underage possession or consumption of alcohol.

Towing of vehicles parked along the parade route and in designated no-parking zones will begin in the early morning hours of Monday, ahead of the traditional 6 a.m. "land rush" in which parks and squares open to paradegoers hoping to grab a prime viewing spot.

Savannah Police Sgt. Jason Pagaliaro called the parade an "all-hands" event for law enforcement, saying it will be staffed not only by downtown precinct officers but also those typically assigned to other parts of the city, as well as some outside departments and the Georgia State Patrol.

"Be patient with the officers and the troopers and the folks from other agencies that are out here," Pagaliaro said. "It's a long day for them; they get in at 3 or 4 a.m., and they're working clear through to the end of [the] parade."

Savannah Mobility and Parking Services Department director Sean Brandon urged visitors to be careful about where they park, as privately owned garages can closely resemble city-owned facilities.

"If you are going to come into Savannah and you intend on parking at a city-owned garage, please make sure it is a city-owned garage," Brandon said. "It will specifically say 'City of Savannah.' If you park in a non-city-owned garage, you will be charged whatever they are charging at that point on that day."

More information regarding rules and logistics around the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade and weekend festivities can be found on the city's website.