This week, Savannah and Chatham County welcomed visitors from all over to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! This marked the 201^st time the City of Savannah has hosted one of the largest annual celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day in the United States.

Chatham County Government doesn’t just take part in the parade—we also work hard to keep everyone safe. Two of the agencies that help during the event are the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) and E911 Communications.

CEMA supports law enforcement by setting up the Mobile Emergency Operations Center (MEOC) to help monitor the festival. On parade day, they also run the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to monitor the event and provide support and access to resources as needed. E911 Communications continues its vital work during the festival, but with call volume rising about 20% higher than usual. The large presence of first responders during the festival also leads to more radio traffic, so the E911 Center brings in additional staff to keep emergency calls and communications running smoothly.

Of course, County departments, agencies, and elected officials love to join in the celebration, too! This year, the Board of Commissioners, Tax Commissioner’s Office, Sheriff’s Department, several Judges, and our first responders from Chatham County Police and Fire departments all participated in the parade. And as always, our Parks and Recreation Department brought plenty of creativity for their float! This year, it was a multi-level concession stand complete with popcorn, hotdogs, and even a mini golf course on the back of the truck pulling the float.

Want to see more? Check out our video below for the best moments from the 201st St. Patrick’s Day parade!