So I know this is a bit late, but better late than never, right?

StayinSavannah.com built a float and participated in the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year.  Some of you may have seen us in the parade.  Yes I know it looks like tons of fun and so very glamorous, but here is some insider information on how things really go. (I mean it is tons of fun…and sort of glamorous I suppose…all of the waving like you just won a beauty pageant…but there is some hard work that goes into it behind the scenes.)

After all of the weeks of meetings, planning, and preparation, when the day finally arrives, it starts at 6am.  No, that’s not when you get out of bed to get to the float.  That is when you are there and ready to go!  The DoubleTree Hotel Savannah Historic District was the meeting place and was gracious enough to provide breakfast for all of the participants.

After breakfast, the finishing touches have to be put on the float.  Shamrocks don’t hang themselves, you know.  (That’s me holding a shamrock!)

At 7:00 am, it’s time to load the float and take off to the line-up site.  But not before some group picture.  I promise there are good reasons for the costumes and that we matched the float theme.

Once we arrive at our waiting spot, then the waiting begins.  You know how we left around 7am?  The parade doesn’t start until 10:15…..and we are in the very middle of the parade.  So we wait…

…and wait…

and go on a Red Bull and snack run…

and wait…

FINALLY it is time to go!!

Needless to say the crowds are very interesting at Savannah’s St. Pats Parade. “Paula Queen” was on our float and accepted our participation plaque.  Yes those are butter earrings and a butter necklace.

And that’s how it goes when you participate in the parade….I almost forgot to mention…the most important lesson I learned was not to drink so much Red Bull.  There are no restrooms handy when you are in a parade.