State Patty’s Day During the Pandemic
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-- With a pandemic still running rampant, the students here at Penn State aren’t going to let it stop them from celebrating one of State College’s most beloved traditions. State Patty’s Day continued this year, despite the COVID-19 dilemma.
State Patty’s is a long running tradition, typically occurring the week before spring break. In a normal year, St.Patrick's Day would fall during spring break.
Students wanted to be able to celebrate it at school, so State Patty’s Day was created.
The first official State Patty’s Day was March 2, 2007. Ever since then, it has drawn in a huge crowd, all geared in green.
State Patty’s is not only loved by Penn State students, but out-of-town visitors too. In a normal year, many students have friends from other schools come to celebrate due to the holiday’s popularity.
But this year is a little different. With strict COVID-19 guidelines being enforced by Penn State and State College Police Department, no one was really sure what to expect out of this year's State Patty’s Day.
Kristen Chomos, a sophomore actuarial science major, actually treats State Patty's like any other weekend at Penn State.
“It’s allowing people to celebrate something special to State College while hopefully keeping all guidelines and safety precautions in mind," Chomos said.
Grace Whipkey, a sophomore chemical engineering major, is getting together with a small group of friends this year.
“Just because of the police enforcement and the restrictions and punishments they have out there for us,” Whipkey said.
Chloe Regal, a sophomore human development and family studies major, spoke about what she did for last year's State Patty’s before the outbreak of COVID-19.
“Last year I went to a bigger party, and now this year there were a lot more smaller parties,” Regal said.
Despite the pandemic, State Patty’s Day continued to be a highly anticipated holiday for this upcoming weekend.
Although there were no big parties or bars filled to maximum capacity, the students of Penn State plan continued to live the State Patty’s tradition.
Gabrielle Teiner is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her email
gmt5216@psu.edu
