SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Savannah has a new top Irishman ready to lead its St. Patrick's Day parade in just two weeks.

The Savannah Morning News reports (http://bit.ly/1n1bJZA ) local whiskey salesman Dave Roberts received the official sash and medals bestowed upon the parade's grand marshal during a ceremony Sunday. Roberts has served on the Savannah committee that organizes the St. Patrick's Day parade for 38 years and has held nearly every office the committee has.

As grand marshal, Roberts will march at the front of the sprawling parade as it winds through Savannah's downtown historic district on March 17.

Irish immigrants began celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a parade in Georgia's oldest city 190 years ago. It's become one of America's largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations, drawing up to 400,000 revelers to Savannah annually.

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