Hoboken Says St. Patrick's Day Parade Moves From Saturday After Debauchery

HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP/CBSNewYork) -- Hoboken's popular St. Patrick's Day Parade will be moving to Wednesday next year. That's the word from Mayor Dawn Zimmer.

The parade has traditionally been held on the first Saturday of March, but Zimmer said Tuesday that the move is necessary to "reduce the amount of partying that occurs.''

The Jersey Journal of Jersey City reported Tuesday that police made 34 arrests related to the parade last Saturday and issued 296 citations for things like urinating in public and carrying open containers of alcohol.

The city states on their website there are two allegations of sexual assault and the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office is going to investigate.

City restaurant and bar owners said the event is an economic boon. In recent years, it's brought in more than 30,000 visitors.

There's also a tradition of heavy drinking. The bars begin serving at 9 a.m. on parade day.