Forsyth Park fountain, milkshake and City of Savannah turning green Friday ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The City of Savannah is hosting one of its most iconic St. Patrick’s Day traditions Friday: the Greening of the Fountain. 

While Forsyth Park may be quiet Friday morning, that is going to change as the time ticks to noon.

2026 annual Greening of the Fountain

The Greening of the Fountain is one of Savannah’s largest events leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. 

Hundreds of people ae expected to flock to Forsyth Park to witness the historic fountain turn green at 12 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee members said the festive celebration unofficially started in the 1980s when a group of people started pouring dye into the Savannah River and the fountain. It became an official Hostess City event in the early 2000s. 

The event’s longtime emcee Fred Elmgren, who has since retired, and WTOC’s late Craig Harney were some of the first people to organize the celebration. After several decades, it’s become an event that many locals and visitors have come to know and love. 

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Parade Committee members, Grand Marshall Marty Hogan and WTOC Coloring Contest Winner Margaret Tootle circle the fountain Friday to pour green dye in the water, marking the outdoor public kickoff of the Irish holiday season. 

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Jake Roberts, the Greening of the Fountain Chairman, said that after Friday’s event, the race to St. Patrick’s Day is officially on.

“It’s really the moment that flips the switch for the celebration of the St. Patrick’s Day season. Once this fountain turns green, that’s when everybody can begin the festivities leading up to that big day, March 17, here in Savannah, Georgia,” said Roberts.

Roberts also said the event has a special place in his heart, just like it does for so many others. 

“It is special because I remember when I was four or five, my dad bringing me along and seeing the fountain turn green. And it really does kickstart the festivities and the moments that you just get to cherish forever,” said Roberts.

What to know before you go

If you are going to the Greening of the Fountain, organizers said to get there early. Parking will be easier to find, and you will be able to claim the exact spot you want along the fountain railing.

The atmosphere is expected to be fun and family friendly, which is one of the main reasons why the Greening of the Fountain is a fan-favorite St. Patrick’s Day event for locals and visitors. 

Annual Greening of the Milkshake at Leopold’s

After the Greening of the Fountain, everyone’s invited to Leopold’s Ice Cream on Broughton Street at around 2 p.m. for the Annual Greening of the Milkshake. There will be a large vanilla milkshake dyed green by the Grand Marshal and community leaders.

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Guests can enjoy a sample following the ceremonial stir.

Greening of the City

Be sure to watch WTOC Friday night for our Greening of the City special.

The 30-minute special airs at 7 p.m., showcasing how the wave of green spreads across Savannah ahead of Saint Patrick’s Day. The event will also feature a live lighting of Savannah’s City Hall.

The WTOC crew will be in downtown Savannah to help officially kick it off the Saint Patrick’s Day season.