Mayor Otis Johnson, Savannah’s second African-American mayor, is in his eighth and final year of office.


SAVANNAHGEORGIA S


Each year, Savannah attracts millions of visitors who enjoy the city’s architecture and historic buildings.


Photos courtesy of the City of Savannah Public Information Office. BY EILEEN ROBINSON SMITH


AVANNAH OFTEN IS compared to New Orleans because it is a fun, party town that hosts a stag- gering number of annual


events. By far its largest is on St. Patrick’s Day, the city’s equivalent of Mardi Gras, when the operative color is simply green. Te parade is the featured act and, since schools are shut down, kids are among the vocal participants. Sizable numbers march as members of school bands; all are like leprechauns – little hand-waving ambassadors with big smiles. For those who don’t want to join


the 400,000 or so revelers on St. Patrick’s Day, related events provide good, wholesome fun, and many activities are geared to families. Mayor Otis S. Johnson, Ph.D., a tall man 69 years young, points out: “Leading up to our biggest day of the year, there is the selection of the parade marshal, the Irish Festival, the Shamrock Run and more. And on the night of March 17, the Hibernian Society stages its annual dinner for some 600 – men only. It is a tradition here that dates back to 1789.” Johnson elaborated on the number of festivals – some 200 – held each year,


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THE MAYOR TALKS ABOUT HIS TOWN


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