News

Savannah’s famous fountain turns green ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

Forsyth Park landmark gets annual dye treatment in runup to March 17 parade.

Members of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee pour green dye into the fountain in Forsyth Park on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Members of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee pour green dye into the fountain in Forsyth Park on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Members of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee pour green dye into the fountain in Forsyth Park on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Members of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee pour green dye into the fountain in Forsyth Park on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Members of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee pour green dye into the fountain in Forsyth Park on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Adjunct Fred H. Elmgreen Jr. at the opening address of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade dying of the fountain on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Adjunct Fred H. Elmgreen Jr. and General Chairman Timothy Patrick Mahoney give the opening address at the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade dying of the fountain on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

The Legacy Irish Dancers perform at the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade dying of the fountain on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Dave Crampton plays the bagpipe at the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day dying of the fountain on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Members of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee walk toward the fountain in Forsyth Park during the annual dying of the fountain on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

The dying of the fountain on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

1 / 11

Members of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee pour green dye into the fountain in Forsyth Park on March 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA. The dying of the fountain marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

By Adam Van Brimmer

March 7, 2025

SAVANNAH — Savannah’s iconic Forsyth Park fountain has been a picturesque landmark since 1868.

To locals, the water feature is never prettier than for a few weeks in March, when its waters are dyed green in a nod to the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration.

The 2025 parade’s grand marshal, Jay Burke, handled the honors Friday. He, his family members and his parade aides poured dye into the fountain shortly after noon.

The annual ceremony, attended by several hundred green-clad Savannahians, is a key pre-parade event on Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day calendar. The parade, covering a 3-mile route through the heart of the historic district, is on March 17.

ExploreIrish eyes for Savannah: What to know about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Credit: Justin Taylor for The Atlanta Journal Constitution

icon to expand image

Credit: Justin Taylor for The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Credit: Justin Taylor for The Atlanta Journal Constitution

icon to expand image

Credit: Justin Taylor for The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Credit: Justin Taylor for The Atlanta Journal Constitution

icon to expand image

Credit: Justin Taylor for The Atlanta Journal Constitution

About the Author

More Stories

Keep Reading

Credit: Photo courtesy of the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade/Faith Swift

Midtown roads to close for Atlanta St. Patrick’s parade

Staggered road closures will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. along Peachtree Street from Beverly Road to 3rd Street.

Everyone’s Irish at the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade in Midtown

Everyone is encouraged to be Irish for the day as they watch the parade that takes place this year from noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15 in Midtown.

Limerick blasts Savannah as Irish bagpipers lead St. Patrick’s parade

Irish bagpipers and drummers with the City of Limerick Pipe Band will lead the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade on Monday, March 17.

The Latest

Placeholder Image

Kennesaw State fends off New Mexico State 80-77 in Conference USA Tournament quarterfinal

1h ago

Winning numbers drawn in Thursday’s Georgia Cash 4 Evening

2h ago

Winning numbers drawn in Thursday’s Georgia FIVE Evening

2h ago

Featured

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Georgia election bill replaced in late-night maneuver, an attempt to change voting laws

A short elections bill advancing through the Georgia General Assembly is a "vehicle" for bigger potential changes to voting laws.

10K-square-foot mystery restaurant planned for CNN Center reboot

The owners of the Center, formerly known as CNN Center, announced that a high-end restaurant tenant had been secured as the downtown Atlanta building is redeveloped.

Tent-slashing raises questions about Old Wheat Street encampment sweep

Caseworkers faced threats from suspect Daniel Barnett before a January sweep ended in Taylor’s death. Could officials have acted sooner?