Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

Colorful alcohol was the drink of choice as hundreds of students celebrated Green Beer Day in Oxford March 13.

Students, alumni and community members turned out in droves for an early dose of St. Patrick's Day revelry, four days before the actual holiday.

Kurt Hummel and Barry Floore, Miami University alumni, returned to Oxford to take part in the popular celebration.

"I came here directly after working third shift in Cincinnati," Floore said. "My plan is to enjoy the morning here and be back home early enough to get some sleep before work."

Hummel's trek to Green Beer Day brought him all the way from Columbus, taking a day off from work to recapture undergraduate memories. But was it worth it?

"Not yet," Hummel laughed. "Maybe later on today, though."

Participants weren't alone on High Street, with area police beefing up patrols and doling out citations in numbers higher than last year.

Preliminary figures put the number of citations near 30, though police were pleased to have only made one DUI arrest. Sgt. Jim Squance said past years have seen an average of five DUI arrests and 21 citations.

"For the amount of people out there and the amount of drinking going on, I think it came off alright," Squance said.

Of the citations issued, the vast majority were alcohol-related violations like public intoxication and open container. Police continued to issue citations Friday, already having dispensed eight tickets for littering after numerous house parties Thursday evening.

Squance said he was pleased to report no major problems during the festivities. Oxford police worked in conjunction with Miami University and Oxford Twp. police to curtail potentially dangerous situations, with the ultimate goal of a relatively safe event.

"I think everyone had a good time and got home safely," Squance said. "We'll be out there again next year."

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139, ext. 86102, or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.