Since St. Patrick's Day falls in the middle of the week, people are starting to celebrate on the weekend leading up to the big day.

When the work day ended, the annual St. Paddy's Tent Party and Pub Tour kicked off in South Bend.

From bands, to bow ties, to bright green everywhere, Downtown South Bend looked more like Dublin, Ireland.

At Fiddler's hearth, a family owned business, we met a man who just over a year ago called Ireland home. Now, South Bend is home.

Eugene O’Neill says, “I met an American girl in Dublin six years ago and we got married last year.”

We asked “How does this Irish fest compare?”

O’Neill says, “I think you do more about it here than we do at home. I think you do, yeah. Usually it's just parades and a drinking session.

That’s not the case here. Owners say the party goes on for days.

Sean Meehan says, “The week prior to St. Patrick's Day is St. Patrick's week, so we get a lot of hype, a lot of excitement.”

There's more fun ahead starting with a parade Saturday.

It starts at 11 am on Jefferson and Frances streets in South Bend. It's put on by the Michiana Celtic Society. The annual “greening” of the East Race follows.