Did You Know? Savannah Facts from 2000 to the Present

1. In 2002, the Savannah Music Festival expanded to become an internationally recognized event, attracting artists from around the world.

2. SCAD’s Savannah Film Festival, launched in 1998, has grown into one of the top film festivals in the Southeast, attracting stars and filmmakers every year.

3. In 2005, Savannah’s Forsyth Park underwent a major renovation, adding new walkways and restoring historic elements like the fountain.

4. The Talmadge Memorial Bridge was named one of the most iconic structures in Savannah after its refurbishment in 2001.

5. Savannah’s Riverfront revitalization in the early 2000s turned the area into a major destination for tourists and locals alike.

6. In 2008, the Jepson Center for the Arts hosted its first PULSE Art + Technology Festival, combining digital innovation and contemporary art.

7. In 2014, the Savannah Bananas, a quirky baseball team, brought a unique brand of entertainment to Grayson Stadium.

8. The Trustees Theater, originally opened in 1946, was fully restored in 2004 and is now one of the top venues for live performances and film screenings.

9. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport underwent a major expansion in 2007, increasing passenger capacity and modernizing the terminal.

10. In 2019, Savannah was named one of the “World’s Best Cities” by Travel + Leisure magazine, reflecting its growing status as a global destination.

11. The Enmarket Arena, opened in 2022, became Savannah’s premier venue for concerts, sports, and large-scale events.

12. SCAD was named one of the world’s top art schools in 2019, continuing to shape Savannah’s reputation as a hub for creativity.

13. The Savannah Boat Parade of Lights, an annual holiday event, became a beloved tradition starting in the early 2000s.

14. In 2016, Savannah launched its first Free Public Transit System, offering free rides on certain downtown routes to reduce congestion.

15. The Savannah Food and Wine Festival, launched in 2013, brings chefs, wine connoisseurs, and food lovers from around the country to celebrate the city’s culinary scene.

16. In 2010, the Savannah Book Festival hosted its largest event yet, with internationally recognized authors participating.

17. Tybee Island Beach was named one of the best beaches in the U.S. by TripAdvisor in 2018, drawing more visitors to the Savannah area.

18. In 2007, the Bonaventure Historical Society began offering guided tours of the cemetery, making it one of the city’s most visited historic sites.

19. The Savannah Children’s Museum opened in 2012 in the historic Central of Georgia Railway area, offering interactive exhibits for children and families.

20. Savannah became a Sister City with Jiujiang, China, in 2010, strengthening international cultural ties.

21. The Savannah Bee Company, founded in 2002, became one of the city’s most well-known businesses, expanding its honey and skincare products nationwide.

22. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused significant flooding in Savannah, but the city quickly recovered thanks to swift emergency response efforts.

23. The Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade continued to grow, attracting over 400,000 visitors in 2019 and becoming one of the largest in the country.

24. In 2013, the Plant Riverside District project began, transforming Savannah’s old power plant into a entertainment and shopping district.

25. The Savannah Craft Brew Fest, launched in 2008, became a major event for beer enthusiasts, featuring breweries from across the U.S.

26. In 2015, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force expanded, adding new exhibits dedicated to the heroes of World War II.

27. In 2014, Savannah’s Forsyth Farmers Market was recognized for its commitment to providing local, fresh produce and supporting area farmers.

28. The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist underwent a major restoration in 2000, preserving its Gothic Revival beauty.

29. In 2019, Savannah hosted its first Cultural Arts Center, featuring exhibits, performances, and community art projects.

30. The Savannah Waterfront Association expanded its programming in 2012, adding more festivals and public events to celebrate the riverfront.

31. In 2020, Savannah quickly adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by instituting strict safety protocols and launching a city-wide mask mandate.

32. In 2005, SCAD purchased and restored SCADpad, an urban living experiment housed in a multi-story parking garage.

33. In 2018, Savannah launched its Bike Share Program, offering residents and tourists an eco-friendly way to explore the city.

34. The Lucas Theatre celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2021, with special screenings of classic films and performances.

35. Savannah’s Moon River Brewing Company, founded in 1999, became one of the city’s top craft beer destinations and a hotspot for ghost tours.

36. In 2003, Bonaventure Cemetery gained worldwide fame after being featured in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” attracting tourists from across the globe.

37. In 2015, Savannah celebrated the opening of the Savannah Cultural Arts Center, dedicated to showcasing local talent and offering art classes.

38. The Savannah Music Festival, in 2017, attracted its largest-ever audience, solidifying its place as one of the premier cultural events in the U.S.

39. In 2018, the Tybee Island Marine Science Center was relocated to a new, larger facility to better educate visitors on marine ecology.

40. Savannah’s Chatham Area Transit introduced eco-friendly buses in 2010, making public transportation greener and more accessible.

41. In 2021, Savannah’s SCAD was named the number-one graduate school for motion graphics in the U.S., contributing to the city’s creative reputation.

42. The Davenport House Museum underwent a major restoration in 2013, further preserving this important historical home.

43. In 2004, Forsyth Park hosted its first-ever Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, drawing thousands of runners and visitors.

44. Savannah’s First Friday Art March, launched in 2012, became a staple of the local arts scene, showcasing local galleries and artists.

45. In 2008, Fort Pulaski hosted its first Civil War reenactment, offering visitors a glimpse into Savannah’s military history.

46. The Girl Scouts’ National Convention was held in Savannah in 2017, celebrating the organization’s founding in the city.

47. In 2011, Savannah’s City Hall dome was re-gilded, restoring its golden glow as one of the city’s most iconic structures.

48. The American Prohibition Museum, opened in 2017, became the only museum in the country dedicated to telling the story of Prohibition.

49. The Savannah Philharmonic was founded in 2008, quickly becoming one of the city’s most beloved musical institutions.

50. In 2019, Leopold’s Ice Cream celebrated its 100th anniversary with a citywide celebration and special events.

51. The First African Baptist Church celebrated its 240th anniversary in 2017, marking a long history of community involvement.

52. In 2006, the city of Savannah passed an ordinance requiring new buildings in the historic district to meet strict design standards, preserving its architectural beauty.

53. Savannah’s Pride Parade grew significantly in the 2000s, becoming a major event drawing thousands of participants each year.

54. In 2022, The Eastern Wharf District opened, adding a luxury residential and commercial space to Savannah’s growing downtown.

55. In 2003, Savannah’s Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace underwent a major renovation, preserving its role as a national treasure.

56. The Savannah Economic Development Authority expanded in 2010, attracting new industries and job opportunities to the region.

57. In 2014, Savannah hosted its first Fashion Week, showcasing local and international designers on the city’s iconic streets.

58. The Forsyth Fountain, one of Savannah’s most famous landmarks, was cleaned and restored in 2016.

59. In 2020, Savannah’s Climate Action Plan was launched, aiming to make the city more sustainable and resilient to climate change.

60. The SCAD Museum of Art, reopened in 2011, expanded its collection and became a cultural focal point for contemporary art.

61. In 2018, the Tybee Island Beach was voted one of the best beaches in the country by Southern Living magazine.

62. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force added a major exhibit in 2014, focusing on the experiences of World War II veterans.

63. In 2007, Savannah’s Ellis Square was restored and transformed into a popular public plaza, revitalizing a once-neglected part of downtown.

64. Savannah State University celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2015, highlighting its contributions to education and the community.

65. Savannah State University became one of the leading historically black universities in the country after receiving multiple academic accreditations in 2012.

66. The Savannah Film Office helped attract over 150 major film and television productions to the city between 2010 and 2020, boosting the local economy.

67. In 2017, the Savannah Bananas won the Coastal Plain League Championship, adding to their reputation as one of the most entertaining teams in the country.

68. The Savannah Stopover Music Festival, started in 2011, has grown into one of the city’s most popular music events, featuring emerging artists from around the world.

69. In 2018, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) opened its first eSports Arena, showcasing the university’s forward-thinking approach to the gaming industry.

70. The Savannah Food Truck Festival, founded in 2013, became one of the city’s most beloved culinary events, bringing together food trucks from across the region.

71. In 2020, Savannah was named the 1 U.S. city for Southern hospitality by Conde Nast Traveler readers.

72. The Savannah Philharmonic celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018, marking a decade of providing classical music to the community.

73. In 2009, Leopold’s Ice Cream was featured on the Food Network, bringing national attention to the Savannah institution.

74. The First African Baptist Church, one of the oldest Black churches in North America, completed major renovations in 2003, restoring its historic structure.

75. The Savannah Waterfront Association expanded its events calendar in 2015, adding more cultural festivals, including the Savannah Craft Brew Fest.

76. In 2019, Savannah’s first Cider Bar opened, offering locally crafted ciders and expanding the city’s growing craft beverage scene.

77. Savannah’s First Friday Fireworks on River Street, a monthly event, began drawing thousands of attendees after launching in 2005.

78. The Georgia Historical Society, headquartered in Savannah, launched its online digital archive in 2012, making centuries of historical documents accessible to the public.

79. In 2020, Savannah became the first city in Georgia to enact a plastic bag ban, part of a broader initiative to reduce waste.

80. In 2017, Georgia Power announced a major expansion of its renewable energy initiatives in Savannah, supporting the city’s sustainability goals.

81. The Jepson Center for the Arts hosted its largest exhibit in history in 2019, showcasing work from internationally renowned contemporary artists.

82. In 2004, Savannah launched the Greening of the Squares initiative, restoring and maintaining its famous public squares with environmentally friendly practices.

83. The Savannah Marathon and Half Marathon, first held in 2011, attracted runners from across the country, becoming one of the city’s biggest sporting events.

84. In 2008, the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project began, deepening the river to accommodate larger cargo ships, boosting the port’s capacity.

85. Savannah’s Downtown Design District flourished in the 2000s, becoming a popular destination for boutique shopping and local artisans.

86. In 2019, Savannah hosted the American Planning Association Conference, focusing on innovative urban development and historic preservation.

87. Savannah’s Forsyth Park hosted its first Open-Air Concert Series in 2014, which became a popular summer tradition.

88. In 2020, the Savannah Bananas gained nationwide attention for their entertaining games, as they became the subject of multiple news features.

89. Savannah’s Riverwalk, expanded in 2015, brought new restaurants, retail shops, and public art to the city’s waterfront area.

90. In 2009, the Savannah Children’s Museum expanded its outdoor exhibits, making it one of the most interactive museums in the region.

91. Savannah’s Designated Landmark District expanded in 2018, further protecting the city’s historic architecture from modern development.

92. In 2016, Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade attracted its largest crowd ever, drawing over 500,000 people.

93. The Plant Riverside District, completed in 2020, added luxury hotels, shops, and entertainment venues, becoming one of the most high-end destinations in Savannah.

94. In 2007, Savannah Technical College introduced its Historic Preservation Program, training a new generation of preservationists to maintain the city’s heritage.

95. The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort hosted its first PGA Tour event in 2015, bringing top professional golfers to the city.

96. In 2014, the Savannah Convention Center completed its expansion, adding more exhibit space and attracting larger events to the city.

97. Savannah’s Free Wi-Fi Downtown initiative, launched in 2018, provided visitors and residents with easy access to the internet across the historic district.

98. In 2017, Savannah’s Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist held a year-long celebration of its 150th anniversary.

99. The Savannah Economic Development Authority helped attract multiple tech startups to the area in 2019, supporting the city’s growing innovation economy.

100. In 2013, the Savannah Bicycle Campaign led efforts to expand the city’s bike lanes, making it a more bike-friendly city.