The City of Savannah made initial announcements regarding the 2019 parade.The festival period will be Friday, March 15 through Saturday, March 16, ending at 11:59 p.m. The parade will step off Saturday, March 16, at 10:15 a.m. from the area of Forsyth Park.
Sgt. Dana Purvis with the Savannah Police Department announced there will be two designated check points located in City Market and the River Street Visitors Center to assist guardians locating separated minors. Pets will not be allowed within the festival zone unless they are service animals. The festival zone encompasses streets along the Savannah waterfront and City Market areas. Inside the festival zone, a purchased wristband will be required to carry an open container of alcohol.
Susan Broker, director of the Office of Special Events, Film and Tourism, said that Recorder’s Court will be holding hearings in Chippewa Square during the parade to address citations involving littering and underage drinking, which have been prevalent in the square in the past. This operation will be set up parade day between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The Parking Services Department is offering pre-sale parking spaces for Saturday, March 16 for $20 per day at the following locations:
·Visitor’s Center Parking Lot, 301 Martin Luther King Jr.
·Bryan Street Garage, 100 East Bryant Street
·Liberty Street Garage, 301 West Liberty Street
·Robinson Garage, 132 Montgomery Street
·State Street Garage, 100 East State Street
·Whitaker Street Garage, 7 Whitaker Street
·Curtis B. Cooper Parking Lot, 122 Barr Street
There are 14 available spaces for motor homes at the Visitor’s Center Parking Lotlocated at 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The cost of the parking space will be $20.00 for Friday and Saturday; $10.00 for Sunday.
If you are parking in the Bryan or State Street garages, you will not be allowed to exit the garage with your vehicle until the parade route has been cleared between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
To inquire about purchasing a space at the above listed locations, contact Parking Services at 912-651-6470.
The City is also partnering with Chatham Area Transit (CAT) to provide daytime passenger shuttles from outlying areas of Chatham County.
The Daytime Parade Shuttle will operate from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. with service to and from the following locations. (Roundtrip fare is $5):
·From the Westside Shopping Center on U.S. 80 in Garden City to the Intermodal Transit Center on Oglethorpe Ave.
·From the Island Towne Centre on U.S. 80 on Whitemarsh Island to the intersection of Price and Oglethorpe Ave.
·From the Savannah Mall to the Intermodal Transit Center
The City will also require all motor coaches entering downtown to register at the Visitors Center on Friday and Saturday festival days. A motor coach permit will cost $250. Indian Street between MLK and Fahm Street has been designated as the drop off and pick up area for motor coaches, ride share and licensed taxis. No other vehicles will be permitted in the ride share area.