If you did not have green somewhere on you, you stuck out like a sore thumb on Thursday when hundreds came out with green hair, green glasses, green clothing, green hats and even green beards to celebrate St. Patricks Day.

At 2 p.m., Heather Garner, 32, was at the Golden Pacific Bank booth at the de Vere’s St. Patrick’s Day Party in the Park at Cesar Chavez Plaza.

“We are passing out free beads, hats and candy,” Garner said. “We brought over 3,000 beads and over 1,000 hats.”

The Cesar Chavez Plaza was fenced and inside a St. Patrick’s Day celebration was in full effect.

Bar stools, green and white balloons, a huge Guinness beer balloon were among the decorations that surrounded the place.

People of all age groups came out to celebrate. Many men and women dressed in traditional Irish attire such as kilts, knee-high socks and plaid skirts.

In front of the stage people clapped along to music and danced freely by swinging their hands or pairing up with others and twirling in circles.

The atmosphere was occasionally filled with sudden bursts of laughter, cheering or phrases such as “Happy St.Patrick’s Day”

Various booths were present, ranging from Guinness beer booths, whiskey booths, radio station booths such as that of 106.5 (The Buzz, 90s buzz) to photo and food booths.

Between the live music from the stage and people’s conversations, the delicious smell of food dominated the park.

The traditional Irish dish of corned beef and cabbage was on many people’s must-eat list.

Kate Petros and Ross Lee came from La Riviera and Watt neighborhood for the celebration.

Although they celebrated St.Patrick’s at de Vere’s Irish pub last year, it is their first time at the park.

“I am looking forward to eating corned beef cabbage,” Lee said. “St. Patrick’s Day means Guinness, good Irish music, friends and fun.”

Brad Cecchi, executive chef at Grange (restaurant and bar) served house made Irish sausages with pickled vegetables and Irish cheddar on soft rolls at the Party in the Park.

“We are prepared to sell 1,200 sausages,” Cecchi said.

The traditional St. Patrick’s Day culture, food and music was blended with the modern in many aspects – from pizza with an Irish twist to traditional Irish dance with modern music and Irish tattoos.

Kelly Mcmullen, the chef at the Tuli Bistro booth, explained how the pizza is Irish.

“It is called Drunken Irish man, it has Guinness beer fondue with onion and creme as the sauce instead of tomato sauce used in pizza,” Mcmullen said. “There is also mushrooms sauteed in Jameson whiskey, pieces of bacon, thin slices of potatoes and Irish cheddar cheese on it.”

While some ate, some watched performances on stage like that of the Kyla Groeschel’s school of highland dance. Other performing acts included Irish punk music group The Black Eyed Dempseys, Zoo Station, Nine-8ths Irish, Whiskey and Stitches and Pipes and Drums.

Isaac and Makenzie Seckora, who are part Irish, came from East Sacramento. The couple sat on high bar stools at the park and sipped their beer as they enjoyed the joyful ambiance.

“Everybody is Irish on St. Patty’s day,” Isaac said. “It’s all about good drinks, friends, family and a celebration of everything in life.”

There was a $25 entrance charge and 50 percent of the profits from the event will go to Maryhouse which benefits homeless women and children. Henry de Vere White, co-owner of de Vere Irish Pub said they would not know how much was raised until next week.

On the other side of town, the de Vere’s Irish pub was packed with folks adorning green suspenders, earrings, socks and even a green tutu skirt.

Cynthia Henry, from the Pocket community was excited to meet up with her friends after work.

“I am meeting with six to eight people,” Henry said. “When my girls were little, we stayed home and I made corned beef and cabbage and now St. Patrick’s day is almost becoming like Halloween – look at the cool green tutu skirt.”

It was 4 p.m. and the line was growing longer by the hour as more people left work to join the festivities or drove in from out of town to meet-up with friends.

Sean Brierley, 28, and two friends came from the Bay area to celebrate and socialize with their Sacramento friends.

“I like celebrating St. Patrick’s day in different places,” Brierley said. “I like to dress up. I like the food, beer and it is one of my favorite celebrations.”

At Golden Bear on 2326 K St., the festivities were just beginning at 5:30 p.m.. There were fewer people compared to the crowd at de Vere’s Irish pub and the park.

There were plenty of seats available with about 60 people present, but Kimio Bazett, 32, co-owner of Golden Bear explained the party would continue until morning and there were a few bands playing later that night.

Some of the bands expected to perform were Sex Rat, Lite Brite, Strange Tounges, Prieta, and Live Manikins.

“We booked the best line-up, I hope many people come,” Bazett said.

DJ Rated R, 28, said the celebration is all about socializing with friends and he was excited to perform at Golden Bear later that night.

“I scratch Irish bagpipes music,” DJ Rated R said.

All three celebrations continued into Friday evening and early Saturday morning.