TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. — The people of Tybee Island kicked off their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations Saturday with the 22nd annual Irish Heritage Parade, bringing together locals and tourists alike for a day filled with music, costumes, and community spirit.

“I love it because I get to see so many friends and family,” said Linda Teake, one of the attendees.

“It’s so much fun and so many people come, but St. Patrick’s Day takes on a different feel of family, Christian fun,” Cynthia Butler said watching the parade.

Thousands of people lined the streets, enjoying the festivities ahead of Savannah’s widely celebrated St. Patrick’s Day holiday. Some attendees embraced the festival as the perfect warm-up for the city’s major celebrations.

“This is a good prelude to Monday,” said Brian Minor at the parade.

Locals also see the parade as a sign of the changing seasons, with warmer weather ushering in the start of beach season on Tybee Island.

“It’s so laid back, and you don’t have to fight the crowds, and you can get home real easy,” said Jack Boylston, a local.

Many paradegoers said they wouldn’t be making an ‘Irish exit’ from the festivities, saying they had packed extra green outfits to wear on Monday for Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Tybee Island residents say they’re already looking ahead to their next big event— the Beach Bum Parade in May.