SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Students marched through the heart of the Hostess City Friday to celebrate the founding of the state of Georgia and the city of Savannah.
Patty Turner, host of The Bridge on WSAV, and Lisa Landers, Education Coordinator at the Georgia Historical Society, co-hosted a livestream of the parade. Be sure to watch back the full parade and ceremony above.
According to the Georgia Historical Society, which organizes the Georgia Day Parade, it’s a tradition that dates back to the earliest years of the colony of Georgia.
The colony was founded by James Oglethorpe on February 12, 1733 — making this year Georgia’s 287th.
Oglethorpe even made an appearance at the parade, along with local dignitaries like Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.
The parade ran from the north end of Forsyth Park, along Bull Street, ending in front of Savannah City Hall at the intersection of Bull and Bay streets where a short ceremony was held.
At the ceremony, four schools received awards for the banners they made and carried throughout the parade.
“This year, as we recognize the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote, we asked you to use the theme ‘Finding Your Voice’ along with your best creativity to show us how the women’s suffrage movement inspired and impacted others over the last 100 years,” said Christy Crisp, with the Georgia Historical Society. “And you guys did a great job!”
Coastal Middle School one the first-ever middle school banner competition trophy. The elementary school winners are as follows:
- 1st place: Garden City Elementary
- 2nd place: Savannah Country Day School
- 3rd place: Southwest Elementary School
“Truly every school put a lot of effort and creativity into their banners and we are so proud to have them participate,” Landers said.
