Kent State students are heading to downtown Kent early this Saturday to celebrate one of the students’ favorite traditions, Fake St. Patrick’s Day. As you enter downtown, crowds of green and shamrock accessories are huddling at bar entrances and all types of music, particularly bagpipes, are playing in the air.
Friends Grace Goodin, a senior applied communications major, and Hadlie Fritz, a senior fashion merchandising major, are celebrating and having fun this Fake Patty’s, but also prioritizing safety.
“I feel like spring is finally starting,” Goodin said. “It’s warming up a little bit. Everyone’s itching to be outside and hang out with each other, and it’s just ironic. It’s not actually St. Patrick’s Day, so it’s kind of funny. Go with people that you’ve known for more than a day or two, make sure that you’re around people who you can trust to be intoxicated around.”
Fritz also shared similar advice on keeping yourself and your friends safe. It is important to know who you’re going out with and to keep phone numbers on speed dial so you can call a trusted person. Many students agreed on the importance of being in groups, having dedicated drivers and having fun safely.
Logan Seitz, a sophomore marketing major, is out celebrating with his friends in downtown Kent by visiting local bars before heading home.
He shared some ways to make the most out of the holiday, like spending as much time as you can with your friends and taking a break from school. Fake Patty’s Day is not just about drinking; it’s about coming out and taking part in your community.
Fake Patty’s Day is a holiday for everyone, and you’ll find people from all different walks of life out celebrating.
“Girl Scout Cookies!” thrilled Kent State students say as they see Natasha Rodriguez-Carroll and her troop. Rodriguez-Carroll is a resident of Kent and a troop leader for Girl Scouts of the USA.
As a resident, she is familiar with the holiday and decided to come out with her troop to help them make sales. Rodriguez-Carroll also shared that Fake Patty’s Day is becoming such a popular tradition at Kent.
“You basically get to choose your own adventure,” Rodriguez-Carroll said. “It’s not just going out to the bars on Thursday nights when they happen to have to wake up for a Friday morning class. You get to be together, and I think it’s an interesting sense of community.”
This now-classic tradition started back in 2007, thanks to Patrick Atchity. After a a St. Patrick’s Day Parade was scheduled during spring break at Kansas State, he decided to have a makeup celebration for the holiday.
It had been huge, but that isn’t always positive, as many people were upset with the mess. People loved the tradition, and it has stuck around and quickly become a tradition across different university campuses, especially here at Kent.
Taylor Whiting is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
Amanda Nichele is a reporter for KSTV. Contact her at [email protected].
