23rd Annual Tybee Island Irish Heritage Parade kicks off Saturday afternoon

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are ramping up this weekend, and if you’re looking for a parade or two to stop by before the big one in Savannah next week, you won’t want to miss the Tybee Island Irish Heritage Parade.

The 23rd Annual Tybee Island Irish Heritage Parade is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Saturday. Local and visitors alike are excited for another great Irish celebration on the beach.

The parade route starts at Tybee Island City Hall, travels down Butler Avenue to Tybrisa Street and ends near Strand Avenue.

Parking and traffic

Parking along Butler Avenue from 14th Street to Tybrisa Street is no longer available. Parking along Tybrisa Street will be restricted beginning at 3 a.m. Saturday. Organizers are advising attendees to arrive early to find available parking and to expect traffic delays on parade day.

About the parade

Jay Burke III, chairman and founder of the parade, said he launched the event so the entire island could celebrate Irish heritage.

“I want everybody really to get out. It’s entertaining, but it’s a family-oriented event where you can celebrate our Irish heritage. If you’re not Irish, you can still come down and enjoy it. Like they say, everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day,” Burke said.

The parade typically draws tens of thousands of people to the island and features floats, marching groups, pipe and drum bands and more.

The Tybee Island parade is the first in a series of St. Patrick’s Day parades in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. Hilton Head’s parade is scheduled for Sunday, and Savannah’s is set for Tuesday.

If you’re coming out, make sure to wear green and bring plenty of Irish spirit with you.

WTOC’s Stormchaser and some familiar faces will be in the parade, so keep an eye out and say hi (or Happy St. Patrick’s Day) when you see us.