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State Patty's Day is a student-led social gathering that acts as a Pennsylvania State University alternative to the traditional Saint Patrick's Day. It began on Friday, March 2, 2007, because Saint Patrick's Day fell during spring break , which would have left students unable to celebrate the holiday while at school and with friends. State Patty’s has occupied a space among Penn State’s most infamous traditions for nearly two decades. The annual event started in 2007 when the traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebration UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State is working closely with State College Borough to ramp-up safety measures with the hope of reducing excessive drinking and other negative impacts associated with State Patty’s Day, a student-created drinking event. State Patty’s Day is expected to take place Feb. 24-26. The State College Police Department UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As the student-created drinking event State Patty’s Day approaches, Penn State and State College Borough are working together to enhance safety measures and mitigate excessive drinking and its associated risks. This year’s event is expected to take place Feb. 28 to March 2. It takes place the weekend between THON and spring break and occurs nearly a whole month before the real holiday it mimics — it’s almost State Patty’s Day in State College. State Patty's is a student-made holiday celebrated annually the weekend after THON. This weekend, the Penn State community dons green and heads downtown. As State Patty’s Day 2024 approaches, Penn State University and the Borough of State College are bracing for a weekend filled with green, gaiety, and a heightened sense of community. This annual event, a testament to the creativity and spirit of Penn State students, has evolved into a significant occasion, bringing together students, alumni This meaningless holiday, known as State Patty’s Day, is a student-led event that serves as a Penn State University alternative to the traditional Saint Patrick’s Day holiday. State Patty’s Day was started in 2007 after a handful of students realized that St. Patrick’s Day falls within the University’s Spring Break, leaving students Drink All Day Long. State Patty’s is known as one of the biggest drinking events at Penn State, alongside Arts Fest. There’s no better way to celebrate the school’s very own, made-up holiday than drinking from sunrise to sunset. This is probably the most important “Do” on the list. Wear Green Head-To-Toe St. Patrick’s Day fell on a Thursday in 2011. Bars opened as early as 7 a.m. to serve traditional Irish breakfast and beer throughout the day. Tim Reifel, manager of The Phyrst, clarified the difference between St. Patrick’s Day and State Patty’s. “State Patty’s is a day of tailgating, and there is a party atmosphere,” he said. “St. Penn State and the State College Borough are implementing safety measures to reduce excessive drinking during the upcoming student-drinking event, “State Patty’s Day.” It’s expected to State Patty’s Day, or State Paddy’s Day, is a drinking marathon for Penn State students in State College, PA. Police gives annual warning. In advance of the student-created drinking event known as State Patty’s Day, both Penn State and State College Borough are working together to increase safety measures in an attempt to reduce excessive drinking and other negative impacts. State Patty’s Day is expected to take place Feb. 23-25. State Patty’s Day is slated for Saturday, March 1, and over the years, the weekend between THON and spring break has been a “challenge,” according to the release. “Many who engaged in excessive drinking were from out of town and were visiting students and residents living in State College,” the statement read. St. Patrick’s Day Parade. When: March 15, 2025, 1:00 pm OLLI at Penn State University Park. 121 Outreach Building University Park, PA 16802. Phone: 814-867-4278 Now that I am older, there isn’t as much to do for St. Patty’s, so obviously the best way to spice up this holiday is some great outfits and accessories. There are many places to shop around Penn State, but I have noticed that one of the best places to get holiday accessories and outfits is McLanahan’s, and St. Patty’s is no exception As of now, it is State Patty’s Day! A legendary Penn State holiday, this is an annual event in which Penn State students and alumni alike dress in green garb and go parading the streets celebrating a day dedicated to drinking copious amounts of alcohol. “I remain optimistic that better sense will prevail and that we will continue to see the excesses State Patty’s Day engenders fade away.” State College Police Chief John Gardner, Penn State Police Chief Jason Zajac and Penn State Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Danny Shaha sent a letter to State College residents on Feb. 22 Whether or not State Patty’s day has become or should be considered a Penn State tradition is moot at this point. The students love it and I dont see it going away anytime soon. That said, the University has to comment on the event, given the press it will receive, as Suzanne pointed out. State Patty’s Day has been a highly controversial part of Penn State culture for quite a few years, however, there probably will not be a wavering of polarized opinions anytime soon. Personally, I had a lot of fun this weekend celebrating the nonexistent holiday that is State Patty’s Day. But Penn State has kept its high moral values and stood up against and abomination of a day that should not happen here, and won. This also shows that the bars are in good faith of the students and care about their well-being more than they do a profit. So here’s a much deserved toast to you Penn State, and to all bars and taverns down town.
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