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Unofficial Saint Patrick's Day, commonly known as Unofficial, is an annual holiday at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.It is celebrated by students starting on the first Friday of March, with celebrations continuing throughout the weekend, as an alternative to Saint Patrick's Day, which has historically fallen during the university's spring break. Unofficial celebrations bring a bit of day drinking, time with friends and memories that will last a lifetime. For some, the celebration is just getting started, while others are already a few hours in. “Today, we went to a (day party) from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; it was like an apartment crawl,” said Alexis Bond, sophomore in LAS. St. Patrick’s Unofficial weekend will take place once again on campus. Here are some quick facts on what to expect for this green series of events. Q: What is Unofficial? A: According to “Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day: The Official Story,” an article in the University of Illinois Archive, Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day started in the Report of the Chancellor’s Task Force to Review “Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day” and Other Alcohol-Related Events, January 2007, RS 41/1/6, Dean of Students Subject File, Box 172, “Task Group – Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day 2006-2007”, University of Illinois Archives. URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day is a longtime event on University of Illinois’ campus, celebrating the holiday early before students go home for spring break. Now, officials say enthusiasm for the event has dwindled the more that safety has been put at the forefront. The day gained infamy after a 23-year-old student [] Unofficial is said to have originated in 1995, and it is essentially an alternate St. Patrick’s Day on the University of Illinois campus. Because St. Patrick’s Day falls during spring break, some local bar owners came up with idea to celebrate an “unofficial” St. Patrick’s Day on campus. It has gained popularity through the past two CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — You might not know it, but this weekend was Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day on the University of Illinois’ campus. That’s quite a switch from the peak days of the celebration that started in 1995. For years, “unofficial” was a large event on campus, with thousands of students drinking all day and all night long. Unofficial is an annual celebration at University of Illinois. Short for Unofficial St. Patrick's Day, it allows students to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Champaign-Urbana, even though the University is generally on spring break on March 17th. Students may be dismissed as a result of their dangerous behavior and irresponsible choices on Unofficial Saint Patrick's Day. At the University, students who host guests will be held accountable for negative consequences incurred by their guests, with respect to property damage or threats to others' safety. University officials are joining forces with Champaign Police and Champaign city officials to help keep a lid on this year’s Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day celebration, a drinking holiday promoted by some local bars that resulted in the death of a UI alumnus and in significant property damage in the Lincoln Hall theater and Foellinger Auditorium in 2006. O’Shea Builders – Presenting/Title Sponsor of Parade: G3: 9: Glenwood High School “Titan” Marching Band: G4: 10: Illinois State Police Vintage Fleet: A5: 11: 114th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry (Reactivated) A5: 12: 82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, WWII reenactment Group: A5: 13: Illinois Army National Guard Meanwhile, University of Illinois officials are taking steps to minimize disruptions to classes and campus operations during the Unofficial St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The U of I also noted that if students drink too much alcohol, they should not be afraid to go to the hospital for care because they "will not get in trouble. Officials and police at the UI are again working with area police agencies and city and state officials to plan for Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day, a commercial event expected to take place March 5. Measures are in place to help ensure the safety of students and faculty and staff members, prevent property damage and prevent disruptions to The Parade starts off from Wilson Street and Spring Road heading north and ends at the railroad tracks one block south of St. Charles Road. The best parade in Chicagoland, the Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day parade is expected to attract a large crowd. The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on the move! Join MIX 94.5 Monday, March 17th from 4 to 6 at Downtown Rantoul for The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We’re setting up shop at ET’s Burgers, Bar B Cue, and Beer for some Official St. Paddy’s Day fun. Expect a sea of green this weekend as tens of thousands of students from the University of Illinois and elsewhere flock to Champaign-Urbana for Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day. Over the last several years, the event has been marred by underage drinking, destruction of property, and the distribution of drugs. Guardsmen Drum and Bugle Corps- St.Patrick's Day parade: Description: Men marching on State Street holding a banner reading "Edward J. Rosewell presents Guardsmen Drum and Bugle Corps" at the 1974 St. Patrick's Day parade. Folder Title: Parade Photos: Date of Original: 1974: Geographic Location: Loop (Chicago, Ill.) Subject--Topic: Parades This event is the brainchild of 92.5 DJ Doug Jean and promotions director Ryan Leskis to fill a void in the area during the actual St. Patrick's Day holiday that falls on March 17, as opposed to On Friday, March 2, 2012, many students and visitors will participate in an event known as Unofficial St. Patrick's Day. While the University does not support or condone this event, steps are being taken to ensure safety and to minimize disruption to classes and campus operations. The Champaign, Urbana, and University of Illinois police
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