Pandemic St. Patrick's Day: Students not partying on Ezra Avenue

Pandemic stops Ezra Ave partiers From CTV Kitchener's Krista Simpson: The streets of Ezra Avenue were empty this St. Patrick's Day due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

WATERLOO — Post-secondary students in Waterloo Region appear to be following public health guidelines on St. Patrick's Day.

Waterloo's Ezra Avenue typically attracts tens of thousands of partiers on March 17, but the area is quiet so far this year.

On Tuesday, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang urged students to only celebrate the day with people they live with.

In 2019, an estimated 33,000 people came out to Ezra Avenue and the surrounding area.

Last year, there was fencing and Porta Potties in the area and the road was closed. However, Ontario declared a state of emergency on March 17, 2020 and few students showed up.

Students were left feeling sad this year.

"It used to be a glimmer of hope for the winter term and every student at Waterloo and Laurier," said Ben Chapman-Kish. "It's just overall reminder of the past year for all of us, the hardships we've faced. I've felt really socially isolated the last few months and this is a visual representation of that."

Police and bylaw officers were stationed at the avenue on Wednesday, but things have been quiet so far.

"There were smaller house parties around, well within the limits of what they're allowed to have," said Nicole Papke, director of municipal enforcement services. "We've had lots of conversations with them and they're aware and respectful and it's hopefully so far been a very good outcome."

Students said they're taking the warnings from health officials seriously and marking the day with their roommates.

Some headed to pubs and patios to mark the day.

The pandemic shutting down the party for the past two years could have an impact on Ezra Avenue party plans in the future.

"We are always going to plan and I think this is a great sort of pivoting point for us," Papke said. "I hope this will continue."

But, many students still hope to return to Ezra Avenue after the pandemic.

"Sadly, I've only been able to have my first-year experience," Anthony Checchia said. "Hopefully for fourth year we'll be able to have it back as usual, but we're crossing our fingers now."