Double Header Party: NCAA Tournament on St. Patrick's Day

March 17, 2011|By Colleen Ferreira (cferreira@wsbt.com)

Granger - “It's a tradition to come out and hang out," said Eric McCaslin from Cassopolis.

A tradition that sticks from generation to generation.

“I flew in from Texas," said Kelly Paige.

Paige just couldn't stay away from South Bend for St. Patrick's Day.

“That's why I came here," Paige said.

Her mother Marcia was thrilled.

“We don't get to see her as often as we'd like so it's been great," said mother Marcia Wearmer.

Wearmer and Paige were among hundreds who packed the Tent Party in Heritage Square for an evening full of green beer and live music.

“I'm on vacation this week, specifically for St. Patrick’s Day," said Don Surface.

And Don’s not even Irish!

But the people with some Irish blood take pride in their heritage.

“It’s good to be Irish, you get to wear the ‘kiss me I’m Irish button’ and it actually means something," McCaslin said.

"We'll have a couple green beers," Surface said. "I brought my daughter along as a designated driver."

And Surface made a wise decision.

“Last year we had 30 drunk driving arrests on St. Patrick’s Day alone," said Lt. Tim Williams from the Mishawaka Police Department.

Williams said St. Patrick’s Day along with March Madness means extra enforcement.

"We're going to be doing a lot of saturation patrols," Williams said.

Police aren't telling you not to have a good time, they just want to you be responsible.

"We don't need any tragedies on our community like that on a holiday like this," Williams.

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