People didn’t have to be Irish to enjoy the Tri-City Elks annual St. Patty’s Party held Saturday night at Lodge 14 on West Shore Roads in Warwick.

That was especially obvious during a special, super-stepping precision performance by the famed Damhsa Irish Dance Studio troupe of Colleen Kenyon and Grainnne Conley.

Moreover, as many attendees observed, the Kelly green decorations – that came in everything from sparkling shamrocks to flashing green lights and banners that Lorie Eaton and Carol Delory placed throughout the spacious room and on table tops -- were as tastefully done as the 100-plus pounds of corned beef Chef Steve Lagesse cooked to help the Elks get an early jump on St. Patrick’s Day.

“This was very, very nice,” Manny Mihailides, a well-known, one-time restaurateur-corporate executive, assessed of the St. Patty’s party. “Good food, good people; it doesn’t get any better than that no matter your ethnic heritage.”

Mihailides, who brought nine friends to Saturday’s bash, also wanted it known: “This is the best corned beef I’ve ever had.”

For people who’ve never attended the annual Elks’ St. Patty’s Party, the menu included loaves of freshly-baked Irish soda bread and butter, boiled carrots, cabbage, onions and of course the corned beef that was all served in a quick-moving buffer line by Elks Susan Hartington, Ann Liccardi and Deb Mangina.

Even Bob Harrington’s serving system was unique and well-received by each of the 100-plus attendees.

The Exalted Ruler, who also spent much of Saturday in Lodge 14’s kitchen preparing the food feast with Legesse, announced there was half of a playing card on every table top once the other half was drawn from a bowl that determined which table was first, second, etc. Even the dessert menu was special.

There was, much to people likes, Irish coffee and vanilla ice cream with crème de menthe as well as strawberry and maple walnut ice cream that people scooped themselves into a bowl.

Add to that the lively and polished and prolific performances of the Damhsa Irish Step Dancers and it’s easy to understand why people marveled that tickets were only $15.

“These young dancers are special as far as our lodge is concerned,” Mark Eaton, Vice President West of the RI Association of Elks and Lodge 14’s Events Chairman, began. “They help make our Special Needs Outing a huge success; they’re here on Saturday night for free; they are consistently giving back to the community.”

And that’s why Eaton – and Hartington – announced there would be a passing of the hat used to support the Damhsa Irish Dance Studio’s foundation that enables young people whose families face financial struggles to still become a member of the award-winning troupe.

Once Lodge 14 member Kristen Pine delivered a beautiful rendition of Danny Boy, a ballad set to an ancient Irish melody, Hartington was back at the microphone thanking people for coming and announced – and thanked – people for coming and their generosity during the collection that netted $362 for the Damhsa Dancers.

A total of 18 dancers performed a number of special routines that were greeted applause after each number. The group includes: Sarah Corbin, Annaliese Brannon, Devin Corbin, Cailee Lavoie, Kaitlin Brannon, Grace Pine, Mollee Daniels, Kiley Lemieux, Sarah Brusini, Olivia Doyle, Abigail Steinhilber, Tessa Foley, Pepper Travers, Fiona Atoyan, Reese Berube, Gracie Lemieux, Joslyn Karpowich and Sophie Brusini.