Spring breakers flood beach
BY LISA NEWELL Gulf Breeze News lisa@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News "St. Patrick" blesses the crowd at Paddy O'Leary's.

The aroma of suntan lotion wafted through the air last week as hundreds of Spring Breakers began their pilgrimage to the white sands of Pensacola Beach and the green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Cars backed up over the Bob Sikes bridge as visitors began unpacking their luggage in the island's hotel rooms.

Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandy Johnston said at one point there were only 14 hotel rooms left as demand soared.

Saturday, March 17 was St. Patrick's Day, bringing even more people to the beach for good weather and celebrating the Irish Saint. Revelers enjoyed the Irish traditions at Paddy O'Leary's Irish pub and then began the traditional "pub crawl" to the watering holes on the Island.