Whoever said State Patty's day was just for the kids clearly didn't have their heads on straight, because as of 10:30 a.m. this morning, there are old-timers taking part in today's activities. How old do you ask?
42-years-old, to be exact.
Earlier this morning, a 42-year-old male was found running down Allen Street, stealing parking tickets from cars' windshields. According to State College police, the man's blood alcohol content was .364. That's just one of the many incidents reported from this morning.
In honor of State Patty's day, I thought I would hit the streets to see the fashion do's and don'ts that are running rampant around state college. As I predicted, everyone looks like a hot mess. But I think that's part of the charm of State Patty's day. You can walk around looking like Ke$ha, doing things that are usually covered by the dark of night or just by an RV at tailgating, and it's OK to look like a cross between Snooki and a leprechaun (or are they the same thing?).
Can you imagine a State Patty's Day where there was more than just drinking? A day with live music, food, AND excessive green? Rather than continue the debate between whether State Pattys day falls in line with Penn State traditions past, or if the day-long alcohol binge stands out as a scar on the spring semester, we should accept that State Patty’s day is here for the foreseeable future and likely isn’t going anywhere.
You don't have to lie to us, you're going to be drinking on State Patty's Day. Lucky for you, we made a handy reference card to keep you out of jail -- or worse -- the bed of an uggo.
Serving Sizes:
Beer -- 12 oz. (one can or bottle, little less than a pint)
Malt Liquor -- 8.5 oz
Wine -- 5 oz (a wine glass)
Four Loko -- 6 oz (about a fourth of a can)
Liquor -- 1.5 oz (single shot)
Drinks it takes to be "binge drinking":
For men -- 5
For women -- 4
Number of drinks your body processes in an hour -- 1
Fines for underage drinking:
First offense -- $300 + court costs (comes to $438.50) and license suspension for 90 days
Second offense -- $500v + court costs (comes to $638.50) and a year license suspension
This year, the State College community has focused all their efforts on fighting the "menace" that is State Patty's Day. They're bringing in the cavalry, police from beyond just Centre County in an attempt to halt our drunken revelry. But if you know your rights, your chances of making it through State Patty's with a clean record can rise exponentially.
Looking for something to do Saturday that does not involve staying inside all day or being a State Patty's Day asshole? Alliance Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade For Christ, and Navigators are teaming up for the first ever Street Love Tour.
The event, beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, is modeled after a house crawl, minus the alcohol. The Around-The-World-themed tour kicks off at 120 West Fairmount Avenue and will continue on to stops on Allen Street, Atherton Street, Burrowes Street, and Park Avenue.
Each location will be geared toward a certain country, and plenty of music, food, and drinks (non-alcoholic, of course) will be provided.