Savannah, Ga., January 31, 2019 - The annual Georgia Day Parade will take to the streets of Savannah this Friday, February 1 to commemorate the founding of the Georgia Colony in 1733.
The Parade begins at 10:45 a.m. with more than 3,300 school children in colonial costume, historical interpreters, local marching bands, and others marching up Bull Street from Forsyth Park to City Hall.
Things you need to know about the 2019 Georgia Day Parade:
- The Georgia Day Parade is part of the Georgia History Festival and put on each year by the Georgia Historical Society.
- Each year the Parade features a banner competition for all participating schools that encourages students to explore aspects of the History Festival theme.
- This year’s banner theme, “We The People,” is based on the Georgia History Festival theme: The United States Constitution: Ensuring Liberty and Justice for All.
- Trophies will be awarded to the top three banners during the City Hall program.
- Don Waters is the Grand Marshal for the parade.
- Speakers/dignitaries will include Savannah mayor Eddie Deloach, Savannah-Chatham County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ann Levett, and School Board president Dr. Joe Buck.
- The Parade sponsor is Georgia Power.
- The Parade Media Sponsor is WSAV TV. WSAV will also broadcast the parade in its entirety beginning at 11:30 a.m.
- There are over 3,300 elementary and middle school children marching in the Parade. They represent
- Chatham and Laurens County. This is the first time Laurens County/Dublin Middle School has participated in the Georgia Day Parade. They are bringing their entire eighth grade class.
- Georgia cities represented in the parade include Savannah, Bloomingdale, Pooler, Garden City, Port Wentworth, Wilmington Island, Isle of Hope, Tybee Island, and Dublin.
- 40 Schools are participating this year.
- Eighth grade students from Coastal Middle School will represent historical figures from Georgia history including Juliette Gordon Low, Tomochichi, Johnny Mercer, Mother Matilda Beasley, Mary Musgrove, Noble Jones, Abigail Minis and many others.
- Music will be provided by the SCCPS Honor Band and the Windsor Forrest High School Marching Band.
- Massie Heritage Center and Wormsloe State Historic Site will provide costumed interpreters.
- The Third Infantry Division Color Guard will march and present the colors at the awards program in front of City Hall.
- Beach High School JROTC will march and carry banners.
- GHS also welcomes the soldiers of the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield who will be joining us for the Georgia Day Parade.
The Georgia History Festival is the signature K-12 educational
program of the Georgia Historical Society. Held annually around the
anniversary of the founding of the Colony of Georgia on February 12,
1733, this commemoration brings history to life for students of all ages
through a variety of programs.
“Each year the Georgia Day Parade—like all birthday
anniversaries—provides an opportunity for both celebration and
reflection,” said Christy Crisp, GHS Director of Programs. “While we
always commemorate the founding vision of the Georgia Trustees, ‘Not for
Self, but for Others,’ we also highlight different people and themes
from Georgia history to illustrate both the successes and challenges
that have brought us to where we are today. This year’s parade banner
theme, ‘We the People,’ has resulted in some really excellent, creative
banners by local students and teachers, and I cannot wait for everyone
to see what great work they have done in interpreting the rights and
responsibilities that connect us together as Georgians and Americans.”
For additional information about the Georgia Day Parade please contact
Patricia Meagher at 912-651-2125, ext. 153 or on cell at 434-996-7085 or
by email at pmeagher@georgiahistory.com.
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2019 Georgia History Festival Sponsors
For a complete list of Georgia History Festival sponsors click here.
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