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Savannah gets ready for St. Patrick's Day

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Posted 6:53PM on Friday 8th March 2002 ( 23 years ago )
SAVANNAH - Eddie Fahey tipped the inky dye into Forsyth Park&#39;s 144-year-old fountain in Savannah and within seconds its cast-iron swans started spewing green water glimmering like some radioactive, sci-fi gel. <br> <br> Spectators cheered for television cameras broadcasting live Friday as Fahey, grand marshal of the nation&#39;s second-largest St. Patrick&#39;s Day parade, gave the official green light to Savannah&#39;s weeklong celebration. <br> <br> The 74-year-old Fahey, who will lead the parade next Saturday, says this kicks it off. He added, ``That green comes out and, to an Irishman, it&#39;s just like holy water. It gets everybody in the mood.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Dying a dozen fountains to a gushing green in Savannah&#39;s parks and oak-shaded squares has been a tradition for more than 30 years. But its ceremonial pomp and pageantry started as a St. Pat&#39;s shenanigan. <br> <br> Nobody&#39;s sure who the culprit was. But somebody slinking though the squares after nightfall years ago slipped dye, food coloring or who knows what into the fountain water.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/3/197745

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