Greening of the Fountain - Official Savannah Guide

Greening of the Fountain


The Greening of the Fountain in Forsyth Park is a local tradition that began in the middle of the 20th century in Savannah. It’s the first event of the St. Patrick’s Season that immediately follows the investiture of the Parade Grand Marshall. Whoever the lucky Irishman is that is selected by his peers to serve as leader of the year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations gather in Forsyth Park as the iconic Forsyth Park Fountain — perhaps the most famous landmark in town — goes green. Well, to be more specific, the white fountain remains white but the water is dyed green for the duration of the season until after the March 17th parade. 


This tradition began decades ago and has grown in popularity over the years. However, interestingly, Savannah officials tried to start a similar tradition in the early 1960s by dyeing the Savannah River Green -- with less success. The Savannah River flows too quickly for any lasting change to its color. The Greening of the Fountain, though, has now been going on for several generations -- becoming one of the many traditions surrounding St. Patrick's Day in Savannah. 


On hand typically are the Grand Marshall and other officials from the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, elected City Leaders, friends and family of those involved in the brief ceremony and lots of people who love the uniqueness of Savannah’s Irish heritage. Not only do locals who live nearby come to the greening of the fountain, but professionals who work in the historic district do too! Also, it’s not unusual to meet people at the Forsyth Park Fountain Greening Ceremony who’ve driven from around the region. In past years, interested people have driven into Savannah for the ceremony from cities in Effingham County, places in south Georgia such as Brunswick and Jeckyll Island and from across the South Carolina border. 


The Greening of the Fountain Ceremony itself is no longer than 30 minutes (if that long), but its a fun time for all as the anticipation of one of America’s largest Irish celebrations approaches and builds throughout the month of March. And how often will you have the opportunity to have your photo taken in front of Savannah’s iconic 170 year old fountain with green water spewing from the mouths of the statues and green water splattering out of the top of it? Not very often. In fact, the only chance is at after the Greening of the Forsyth Park Fountain in early March each year until just after St. Patrick’s Day. Only a couple of weeks per year to have a unique photo in a beautifully distinctive setting — Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia.


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