March 17 marks the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day around the world. While many places like Chicago, Boston and New York host parades and celebrations of the Irish holiday, I think Savannah, Ga.’s St. Paddy’s Day parade puts it on top, making it my favorite day of the year.

“I absolutely loved it,” said Kylie Totten, a junior education major and parade first-timer. “The St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration in Savannah was so lively and it was really awesome to see how invested so many people were in all the festivities.” 

The celebration of St. Paddy’s Day has become widely important in Savannah due to the city’s deep-rooted Irish heritage. Savannah is home to many Irish and Celtic groups and organization chapters, like the Hibernians, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Irish Society, The Daughters of Ireland, the Savannah Port Society, Savannah Gaelic Athletic Association and many more. 

“I think that because we have such a large Irish Catholic population it just is a big deal for the people that are here,” said Julia Whalen, a junior marketing major and native of Savannah.

The first public observance in Savannah of what became known as the St. Patrick’s day parade took place in 1824, with the Hibernian Society’s lead. In present day the parade is commemorated with over 280 different units of bands, families, societies, soldiers and public and commercial floats. 

In 2025 Savannah’s parade marked the 201st anniversary of the celebration of the Irish. The parade followed the same route it has for several years, totaling around three miles long per start of the route. 

Savannah’s Irish season starts in early February and kicks off with the Savannah Irish Festival, which hosts many traditions including the eating of Irish foods, gathering of the societies, the viewing of Irish dancers, music and the selling of various items of Irish origins or nature. The season consists of other traditional events like the grand marshalls’ investiture and greening of the fountains, all leading up to the main event, the parade. 

While many people have traditions of watching the parade in designated spots, my family and many others walk in the parade each year. For as long as I can remember my family and I have walked with the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), one of the societies my dad is a part of. 

“It’s been very special here, maybe because Savannah is very historic, a port city or because there are a lot of people here who love to celebrate,” said Keelie Mincey, a freshman mass communications major and Savannah native.

Walking along-side other families, we would meet each year at a spot that would come to be called “the tree,” marking the start of our walk into the parade. Just like every other year, 2025 was no different, I gathered hometown friends and college friends and met at “the tree.”

My friends and I gathered early in the morning dressed in our green and white attire, beads and the traditional red lipsticks. Gathering at the tree waiting for everyone, you are greeted by an ensemble of bagpipes and a view of many of the parade floats, family gatherings and soldiers of various ranks. 

During the duration of the parade walk, we wave, give out beads, hug anyone we know watching the parade and wish each and every person a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day.” Myself and many others walking have been known to try and hype the crowds as we walk past, starting chants, the wave and giving high fives to children and adults alike.

Walking with the AOH, of whom consist of Irish men of all ages, has garnered many memorable moments over the years, my favorites have been the collection of Irish tunes they sing while walking. Childhood memories of walking with the same members of the same society, alongside childhood friends makes the holiday my favorite time of the year. 

Once the parade walk comes to an end, we are greeted by the parade committee and the Grand Marshall of the parade year. The Grand Marshall is a man of Irish descent selected by the parade committee for his commitment to the Irish heritage and family legacy within the parade’s committee.  

The parade walk’s conclusion can lead to different escapades depending on the year. In the past my family and many others would gather in my high school alma mater’s gym and eat food, play games and socialize; but the past couple years have varied. This year we walked downtown for a little then left downtown, got food and visited the Botanical Gardens; later ending the night with a sunset walk at Tybee Island beach. 

St. Paddy’s day traditions are vast and vary in size, some of the more widely known ones being, wearing green to prevent getting pinched, drinking all day as the Irish are known for and the display of the shamrock. 

“I think that St. Patrick’s Day songs are definitely my favorite,” Whalen said “When we were in high school in chorus we learned all the St. Paddy’s Day songs and we got to go around to different places and sing them, and all our friends still love singing them to this day.”

Totten describes how unlike Savannah’s celebration of the holiday and the traditions that many have, she and her family never celebrated the holiday, but she enjoys the tradition of pinching someone for not wearing green. 

This parade holds a special place in my heart because of its nature of community and its showing of traditions Irish and non-Irish alike. My favorite parade tradition is the red lipstick tradition which involves the kissing of friends and strangers alike on the cheek. 

“There is a lot of enthusiasm in regard to St. Patrick’s Day, and it is very contagious,” Totten said. “So I think the energy is what makes it unique to other places that celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.”