It seems university and college students in Hamilton and London took heed of warning sent out by police that there would be zero tolerance for any out of control St. Paddy's Day parties, but in Waterloo and in St. Catharines it was a different story.
Waterloo’s university district saw its biggest St. Patrick’s Day crowd ever on Saturday, despite police warnings suggesting that officers would go further this year in an attempt to stop the unlicensed party before it could begin.
Its believed about 15,000 students partied it up on Ezra Avenue, forcing city officials to bring in two dump trucks to block off both ends of the street.
Police shut down multiple keg parties, including one that grew to about 300 people by 10:30 Saturday morning.
The Grand River Hospital says 52 people were taken to hospital during the festivities.
According to the hospital, many of the injuries were falls from trees, lacerations, and people that had been involved in fights.
Meantime, in St. Catharines, a crowd of about 2,000 people, mainly Brock University students, turned up for a street party on Jacobsen Avenue, despite an increased police presence.
Police handed out a number of tickets for open liquor and public intoxication, but made few arrests.