For the second straight year, a St. Patrick’s Day tent party will be held near Wilfrid Laurier University in an attempt to lighten the traditional crowds on Ezra Avenue.
The university and the City of Waterloo are both putting money toward sponsoring the event – and with the University of Waterloo declining to do the same, the city is increasing its outlay from $15,000 to $20,000.
About 3,600 tickets have been sold for the tent event, and organizers say they expect the remainder of to sell shortly.
Laurier student Christian Settino already has his ticket. He also plans to spend time on Ezra, where about 8,000 people partied last year.
“We’re all very excited. It should be very fun,” he says.
“It can only get better.”
Students aren’t the only ones planning for March 17.
Waterloo Regional Police say 70 officers will be assigned to the university district on that day.
“We will be very much present on the streets of Waterloo,” says police spokesperson Alana Holtom.
Holtom says the most common offence related to St. Patrick’s Day partying is carrying an open container of alcohol, which carries a penalty of a $150 ticket.
