Savannah ‘Worried About The Fun’ As Pence Comes To St. Pat’s

Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day will impose security measures that some locals worry will make the street party anything but fun inside an area covering a dozen square blocks.

Police said Wednesday that no party tents, coolers, purses or outside drinks other than bottled water will be allowed in the secured zone for Pence’s visit. It covers a short leg of the 2.25-mile (3.6-kilometer) parade route. But it’s an area popular with parade goers that includes City Hall and two of Savannah’s public squares.

Parade organizers expect roughly 500,000 people Saturday. Business owners inside the secured zone wonder how many will find somewhere else to celebrate.

Bonnie Walden owns the bar Bay Street Blues near City Hall. She says she’s “worried about the fun.”