News 12 at 11 o'clock, March 17, 2010

AUGUSTA---Augusta businesses were hoping to bring in a lot of "green" with the St. Patrick's Day festivities downtown. Each year the party-goers spill over into the local restaurants and bars after the parade.Business owners say they also bring in thousands of dollars in sales.

The rain caused the festivities to shut down early at the Augusta Common but that only sent the crowds inside downtown businesses to continue the celebration. Last year's economic strain and the recession put a damper on spending not just on St. Patrick's Day, but nearly all holidays last year. Some bar owners say it appeared that more people celebrated this year and they're hoping the profits will show.

Was it the luck of the Irish that packed "Tipsey Mc Stumbles," a new bar in downtown on 7th Street in Augusta on St.Patrick's Day?

Some festive spirits weighed in.

"Candy, they throw candy," says one patron.

"It was a success right off the bat and so far it is getting better by the hour," says another patron.

Lots and lots of Leprecauns, four-leaf clovers and plenty of unique green attire could be seen all along Broad Street. Business owners were all fine with it beause they were hoping to see more green in the cash registers by the end of the night .

"I'm good friends with the owner," says a patron of Tipsey McStumbles. "He's trying to make it work and he's doing good things so far and we're all having a good time."

The hats, the beads, the funny gear and of course the beer were all in abundance at this fest. The National Retail Federation reports that the total U.S. spending related to St. Patrick's Day could reach about $3.44 billion this year. That is an increase of an estimated $3.29 billion last year. Plenty of people took the day to socialize and dress up to celebrate all things Irish.

"This is a new bar,we'll try it out and in the process we're also supporting the downtown Augusta area," says one man.

Downtown could use the ecomonic boost. Adrian Estrada owner of "The Loft" says today is like "Black Friday" for his business.

"With this economy,the crowd are good to see!"says Estrada.

Estrada and one of his managers Dickie Ertz have been working since the crack of dawn to get ready for the crowds. He says they sold four kegs of beer on St.Patrick's Day when normally they only sell about one keg per week.

"It has been great so far," says Ertz. "I mean we need this. It has been one of the best days."

"St Patty's Day has always been generous to us,"adds Estrada. "It actually has always have been generous to us."

Those claiming Irish heritage and those not both say we are all Irish on St.Patrick's Day.

"My parents are Irish so I had to go with it and this is the one time of the year that I get to party," says another patron.

"Everybody's drinking beer having a good time and you can look around everybodys' just celebrating," says Adrian Estrada.

Last year, it did not rain on St. Patrick's Day but the recession put a damper on spending for nearly all holidays last year. With the economy showing signs of modest improvement, many partygoers seemed determined to celebrate regardless of the economy.