Crowds Pack Savannah for St. Patrick's Day (Photo Series)

And Georgia Gazette is there, with live sound from the scene: http://www.gpb.org/georgiagazette


(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

As bagpipers and shamrock-plastered floats passed the crowd, Nancy Cox raised a Bloody Mary and clicked the heels of her emerald slippers -- one of the head-to-toe green accessories of her "Wizard of Oz" costume.

(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

Each time her sparkling shoes touched, Cox repeated: "There's no place like Savannah."

Especially not on St. Patrick's Day. Thousands of gaudy green revelers lined the cobblestone streets and magnolia-shaded sidewalks of the downtown historic district today to join the
coastal city's 185-year-old Irish celebration.

Economic gloom may have thinned the throngs slightly, but thirsty tourists started hitting the bars as early as 7:30 a.m. and bar owners anticipated healthy profits by last call at 3 a.m.
tomorrow.

Started in 1824 by Savannah's early wave of Irish immigrants, the St. Patrick's Day parade is the biggest tourist attraction of the year in Georgia's oldest city.

(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

Savannah touts itself as having the nation's second-largest parade, based on the hours-long procession of marching bands, and elaborate floats, Civil War re-enactors and convertibles
chauffeuring local dignitaries. On peak years, the celebration draws up to 400,000 party goers to the city of 150,000.

(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

The turnout today wasn't nearly as smothering as Savannah can be when March 17th falls on a weekend. People stood shoulder-to-shoulder two to three deep on the sidewalks, but many spots had enough elbow room to walk unimpeded.

(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

Oak-shaded Chippewa Square, normally one of the busiest parade-watching spots, still had ample space for party tents by the time the parade began.

(AP)