Are you charmed by St. Patrick’s Day festivals around the south?

I’m not Irish, so technically March 17 should be no more special to me than your average Tuesday. However, given that very few celebrations in the States revolve around St. George, St. Andrew or St. Boniface, I count myself among the many Americans who like to embrace their inner (albeit adopted) Irishman on St. Patrick’s Day.

With more than 34 million citizens claiming Irish descent in the U.S. – and large populations in southern cities like Savannah and Atlanta – it’s easy to stumble across festivities celebrating the patron saint of Ireland. From big city parades to small town pageants, it seems everyone tries to get their Irish on in March.

St. Patrick’s Day falls on a weekday this year, so much, but not all, of the revelry will be taking place on Saturday, March 14. On March 14 at noon downtown, Atlanta will host its 127^th St. Patrick’s Day Parade filled with floats, Irish dignitaries, bagpipe and drum corps, and Irish dancers.

It may not be the same as true Irish homecoming, but many southern St. Patrick’s celebrations have a certain charm all of their own. If you’re hoping to get away for the weekend or just see how another town looks decked out in green, then check out some of these other St. Patty’s Day spots.

· Savannah – Georgia’s coastal gem shines brighter than an emerald each March, and Savannah is celebrating its strong Irish heritage with Irish music, dancing, crafts and food all week. Check out the Irish Heritage Dance at Alee Temple on Friday; the Tara Feis Irish Celebration in Emmet Park on Saturday; the ongoing party along historic River Street and City Market; and the 185^th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday, the 17^th. Tybee Island also holds its own parade at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

· Dublin, Ga. celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and its Irish history all month long, but the big day is Saturday, March 21. The annual parade, arts and crafts festival, gospel singing, Leprechaun Road Race and other events all fall on this “Super Saturday”.

· Emerald Isle, NC – This small coastal community boasts a large Irish population and will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day March 14 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. More than 20,000 people have crowded the Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Festival in the past. This year, festival-goers can expect dozens of arts and crafts booths, Irish and coastal foods, a beer garden, live entertainment and the Little Leprechaun contest for children ages 2- 5.

· More bagpipes and drums, along with floats, dancing, food and fun can be found at the Charlotte Goes Green Festival and St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Charlotte, NC. The festival runs from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on March 14, with the parade beginning uptown at 11 a.m.

Check out additional St. Paddy’s  events here or if you want to test your hand at Irish cooking, we have several recipes to try.

Other cities and towns throughout the south will mark St. Patrick’s Day in their own way as well. Where will you be celebrating? Have you attended any of these southern festivals? Which one is your favorite? Why? Would you recommend traveling to another city just for its St. Patrick’s Day flair?