Savannah’s Plant Riverside District will host its 2022 Shamrocks and Shenanigans Celebration starting March 16.
The five-day event offers free live music on two riverfront stages, Irish dance performances, family-friendly activities, mini-golf, and photos with Lucky the Leprechaun, as well as festive food and drink options for all ages. Featured performers will include The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, Eric Culberson Blues Band, American Idiot (Green Day tribute band), Draucker, Lyn Avenue, Swamptooth and Ramona, and the Riot.
“We are so excited for this amazing celebration that offers family programming, live music, you name it… and did I mention, it’s free?” said Tyler Gray, Director of Entertainment and Programming at JW Marriott Plant Riverside. “We’re going have a great time doing it.”
Gray stated, “We have different stages that will be jam-packed with music from 11 a.m. until midnight. We’ll have family programming going on with the Kids’ Corner and fun activities.”
Gray stressed how folks will want to be there for the opening activities. “You don’t want to miss the first day. We’re going to kick it off on Wednesday with Shamrock the Riverwalk where, with one flick of a button, we’re going to turn the entire Plant Riverside green.”
The special “Shamrock the Riverwalk Lighting Ceremony” will be led by The Kessler Collection’s Chairman and CEO, Richard C. Kessler, taking place on March 16 at 8 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park overlooking the Savannah River.
“We’re going to light the smokestacks and literally everything all around. There will be some pyrotechnics and other surprises, so it’s going to be pretty cool,” Gray said.
“I’m so glad to be a part of this,” Gray said. “I think the biggest thing Mr. Kessler wanted to do when he dreamed up the Plant Riverside was to create Savannah’s premier entertainment district. The idea was to create new-age experiences. We’re not going to change into New York or Las Vegas. We’re not even changing Savannah, rather we’re helping to reinvent the wheel.”
“This year, we’re bringing something to the city to offer the excitement we haven’t had in the last two years,” Gray added. “There’s great excitement at being a part of a tradition that is over 100 years while creating entertainment that’s something you’ve never seen before as we’re creating a new age experience that Savannah needs.”
“The parade and celebration have lasted for 100 years and we’re happy to be a part of the movement toward the next 100 years.”
Additional highlights include nightly Irish-inspired aerial performances by Cirque Divina and special fountain shows featuring the Savannah Children’s Choir’s recording of “Let There be Peace on Earth,” and music from “Riverdance.”
Plant Riverside District will also host a children’s St. Patrick’s Cookie Decorating experience on March 18 at 5 p.m., March 19 at 2 p.m., and March 20 at 2 p.m.
This event includes the opportunity for kids to decorate and take home fresh-baked cookies as well as a chef’s hat and apron. Tickets are $25 and are available online.
For more information or to view a complete entertainment schedule, visit plantriversidedistrict.com
