Tybee Island is going green in a different way this St. Patrick’s Day. With the annual parade down Butler Ave. cancelled and social distancing directives being advised, officials are encouraging participation in a unique addition to the event calendar this year: it’s called “Paint Tybee Ireland Green,” sponsored by the Tybee Post Theater.

Under the billing “Since we can’t have a parade, let’s BE the parade,” the drive-by, walk-by, or bike-by event starts March 12. It will showcase more than 50 homes on Tybee Island sham-rocked to the rafters with green on top of green.

Tybee residents can register and decorate their homes in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, and visitors can take a tour of the houses and yards via maps that will be provided by the Tybee Post Theater, or by following along on Google maps. Prizes will be awarded for the top decorations.

“St. Patrick’s Day is really the holiday for Savannah and Tybee and we are really going to miss the parade,” said Melissa Turner, executive director of the Tybee Post Theater. “Decorate your houses to the nines with Irish flags and green buntings and leprechauns. Make it fun and festive because that’s what St. Paddy’s is all about.”

The event was modeled after the success of New Orleans’ “float houses” during this year’s Mardi Gras celebration, which created a safe alternative to the parade crowds that normally fill that city.

“We are encouraging anyone who might be visiting to get a map and ride around on their own tour of homes. It’ll be a fun way to celebrate the holiday on your own in a safe way in your car or golf cart, which can also be decorated.” — Melissa Turner, executive director of the Tybee Post Theater.

While the Coastal Empire has long been in the top U.S. destinations for those looking to celebrate the green holiday, Tybee hopes to offer a safe, family-friendly option for fun-seekers.

“Anyone who wants to have an alternative to big-time partying should think about Tybee,” says Shirley Sessions, Tybee Island’s mayor, who is encouraging participation in the event The Tybee Post Theater is sponsoring a contest for the best decorated houses. Judges will travel around to each home on a float and vote for their favorites. The top prize winner will be announced live on Facebook by March 17 and awarded $1,000, second place:$500, third place: $250.

“We are encouraging anyone who might be visiting to get a map and ride around on their own tour of homes,” Turner said. ‘It’ll be a fun way to celebrate the holiday on your own in a safe way in your car or golf cart, which can also be decorated.” 

Tybee resident Cathy Lewis is participating in the event and has already started styling her house. 

“We have decorated our home with lights and decorations and things we have made,” Lewis said. “I have a theme and plan to entertain the judges when they come by during the day, so it will look good during the day and at night.”

Colleen Bozard will also be participating. “When we heard about them changing the parade around so the houses became the floats, I thought it was a great idea,” she said. “I am looking forward to taking our golf cart out and following the map around to tour the houses.”

In addition, Island businesses, restaurants and locals are gearing up to celebrate safely. Longtime resident, Jamie Stringer’s family has lived on Tybee since the 1940s and he plans to spend the day with friends celebrating as usual. 

“People are going outside of the box a little bit to readjust without a parade,” he said. “To me, Tybee St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity for the locals to share in the festivities, see each other, visit each other’s establishments and have a good time. [COVID directives] won’t stop us as locals and groups visiting and sharing the day together.” 

Going green on Tybee Island for the holiday isn’t just about decorating houses. Sessions encourages everyone to enjoy all the Island has to offer including patronizing local businesses while also protecting the environment on Tybee Island.

“Tybee will be green,” Sessions said. “We have a beautiful beach, and although we won’t be dyeing the sand or ocean, we encourage everyone to wear green for St. Patrick’s Day. We hope people will also ‘think green’ when they visit, and clean up their litter when they leave.”

For maps and information about Paint Tybee Ireland Green, visit tybeeposttheater.org.

This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2021.