An annual Dayton festival planned around the start of the NCAA men's basketball tournament has been canceled this year.
Organizers said it was necessary because the NCAA is no longer permitting local sponsorships of public events surrounding the tournament.
The Dayton Daily News reports that the First Four Festival in the city's historic Oregon District was planned for March 17. The University of Dayton Arena is the annual site of the tournament's opening game, a "play-in" contest between the two lowest-seeded teams.
Organizers say they are working on other events that will allow the local economy to benefit from the game. They say St. Patrick's Day crowds expected in the entertainment district will ease the blow of losing the festival.