Hilton Head Island will go green on Sunday, March 11, 2007, and what a perfect time for a vacation! Book your hotel and villa reservations now and plan to join in the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Recognized as one of the Top 20 Tourism Events in the Southeast for the month of March, the parade is truly a family affair. While there’s plenty of revelry and good fun, the Hilton Head event is much tamer than the Savannah, Ga. parade, known for excessive drinking and debauchery. Alcohol consumption is well-controlled here and crowds are generally well-behaved.

You can take your children or your grandma without hesitation. Last year, over 18,000 spectators gathered along the parade route to enjoy the colorful floats, marching bands and other entertainment. This year’s parade starts at 2 p.m. For the best vantage points and to avoid the traffic crunch, get started early. Mosey on down to the Pope Avenue area around noon or shortly before. You might want to plan to have lunch at one of the nearby restaurants on Pope Avenue or in the Coligny area.

A favorite of the locals is Reilly’s Irish Pub, located in Hilton Head Plaza, just off the Sea Pines Circle, where you can enjoy some authentic Irish food or an all-American burger. Another great Irish choice is Murphy’s Irish Pub, located in Heritage Plaza on Pope Avenue. Wherever you choose to go, expect a crowd. Find a place to park and stay put. You can always walk to a better viewing point. Take along a folding chair or blanket, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Get more information online at www.gotohhi.com/parade.

Island Girl