Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Monticello, show your green next Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day. If you believe in the wearing of the green, you know you get a kiss instead of a pinch.

Georgia boasts the second largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the United States. Savannah will be hosting the 191st celebration of the Irish with over a half million people expected on the parade route.

Parading Irishmen and women named Hogan, O’Brien and Flanagan march along side the Ancient Order of Hibernian founded some 203 years ago, Zinn Fein, Irish Heritage Society and the Daughters of Ireland. Irish dancers will jig with fife and drum corps and bag pipers from across the country. There are even Irish Setters dyed green. A highlight is always the Oriental band from the local Shrine Alee Temple whose leader pulls off some signature moves.

Irish flags of green, white and orange, representing Protestants, Catholics and the hope for peace between the two will be flying.

Three things you will hear in Savannah on St. Patty’s Day, “It never rains on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish today and Erin Go Bragh (Ireland forever).” If you can’t be there next Tuesday, you can watch it live at www.wtoc.com.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, O’Monticellians.