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'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>
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Spectators cheered for television cameras broadcasting live Friday as Fahey, grand marshal of the nation's second-largest St. Patrick's Day parade, gave the official green light to Savannah's weeklong celebration. <br>
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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's just like holy water. It gets everybody in the mood.'' <br>
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Dying a dozen fountains to a gushing green in Savannah'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's shenanigan. <br>
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Nobody'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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