St. Patrick’s Day crowds gather for Savannah’s 2026 Running of the Squares

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Crowds gathered at Lafayette Square before sunrise Tuesday to claim their spots along the parade route for Savannah’s annual Running of the Squares.

At 6 a.m., participants rushed into the square to stake out prime positions ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Finn McCool Fellowship returns for another year

Among those in attendance was the Finn McCool Fellowship, a group that has participated in the Running of the Squares for multiple years. A member of the group credited their “minister of security” with keeping the spot secured.

“We’d like to thank our minister of security who is another year a successful holding down of the square, no one has died in how many days?” one member said.

Not all arrivals went smoothly. One attendee said a last-minute item was left behind.

“We actually forgot the tent at my house and it’s supposed to be here at 5:52,” the attendee said.

Group says tradition is about community

Members of the Finn McCool Fellowship offered a look at their setup, which included a food spread.

“We have all shapes of sausage. We do links...people respond differently to all the different shapes,” one member said.

The group said the tradition carries a deeper purpose beyond the festivities.

“We do this all for the kids, we black out this space, been doing it for years, and we have a great time,” a member said.