Dale Edington said it best: “Everyone’s Irish on St. Patty’s Day.”

Evan Larsen, a bagpipe player visiting from New Mexico, played at Mudshark Brewing Co. Wednesday afternoon. Jackie Leatherman/News-Herald Photo.

And one glance around Mudshark Brewing Co. Wednesday proved it.

Green T-shirts flooded the restaurant during lunch, green beer flowed freely and tears were brought to eyes as a bagpiper meandered around the restaurant at 210 Swanson Ave.

“We’ve had people come in every year for St. Patty’s Day,” said restaurant owner Tina Stocking. “It’s a little bit of everything (that brings them out), corned beef and cabbage, the bagpiper and the strong family here that makes everyone feel comfortable.”

Several people eating at the restaurant Wednesday said the sound of the bagpipe evoked different emotions for them compared to other instruments.

“I think it has more to do with the ancient traditions,” Edington said. “Just the fact that it is so different and has such a poignant sound to it.”

Rich Agnew said it was the “tone” of the instrument that strikes his musical chord.

“You don’t find that in other instruments,” he said.

But for a few others, they said the bagpipes just made them want to partake in another famous St. Patrick’s Day ritual.

“It kind of makes you want to drink more beer,” said 21-year-old Rob Daubin. “It pumps you up to get in the mood.”

You may contact the reporter at jleatherman@havasunews.com