Most colleges are really big on having an all day celebration on a few days each year. These days usually include game days, homecoming, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween... you get the point. But for some reason, good ol' Kent State decided to make one more day in celebration of St. Patrick, which is now even bigger than any celebration held on March 17. That's right, I'm talking about you Fake Patty's day. It's the most beloved day of all at KSU, and here's why.
It's March.
After being at school for about seven weeks, you start to get all cooped up and need to get out. That's why we all love Fake Patty's. It comes right after midterms and right before spring break, when your spirits are high and you're ready to take on everything, including a 7 a.m. wake up call of green beer.
It's almost warm.
Okay, this year it's very warm, but usually, our Ohio winters are brutal, and we're just trying to make it to the warmer months. This is our first glimpse of a weekend without snow. *Knock on wood that it doesn't snow next year.*
Everyone participates.
The fraternities are always involved and the bars downtown are well aware of what is going on as well. The difference between Fake Patty's and homecoming is that on homecoming, people try to make it to the game, but our stadium is way too far away to actually do that and our team isn't the best. Because of this, people get lost or just don't care about our team. On Fake Patty's day, there's nothing to worry about, because there's no games or obligations to follow for the day!
Everyone looks ridiculous.
There's nothing better than themed parties, and this day is just the biggest one. Everyone wears a green shirt with their favorite drinking quote or their fraternity on it. Along with that, there are beads, shot glass necklaces, tattoos, headbands, hats, you name it. Green everywhere. Also, no one cares how tired you look when 7 p.m. rolls around, because props to you for making it to 7 p.m. and being ready to take on the night.
The people this day brings out.
We all have these friends...
The sprinter:
Woke up before 7 a.m. just to shot gun and say he was up and going first. This guy is usually blacked out by 11 a.m. and passed out before 1 p.m.
The Irish girl:
Probably only actually 50 percent or less, but makes everyone at the party aware that she is here to celebrate her heritage. She's probably dressed way over the top, but you let it happen, because she's specifically here for the good time.
The Irish guy:
Following up, all still applies to the Irish guy. The only difference is that he'll probably be the guy yelling at someone by noon if not earlier about anything he can. But once again, you allow it, because he's just really happy to be there.
The mom:
God bless your soul. Thank you to that one friend who always stays sober enough to make sure everyone is safe and in one piece. What would we do without her? Probably starve or end up down by the river confused as to if we are still in Kent.
The "I never go out" guy:
You're a riot. There's always that one guy who never goes out except for this day, and what do you know, they have a blast and are a blast.
So I just want to say thank you Kent State for putting on this wonderful holiday and giving me some great memories. No matter where I am at in the world, the Saturday before March 17 will always be the best day ever and a day to be celebrated. That is, until 2018, when St. Patrick's day collides with Fake Patty's.
