Spring semester may lack some of the school spirit and bustle of fall semester; but with that absence of State Ball-filled Saturdays comes an influx of open spring weekends. The possibilities are endless, and the road trip opportunities plentiful. Although the FOMO we are faced with when going away for the weekend can be hard to bear, some of these trips are too good to pass up.
Here’s a list of alcohol-filled weekend trips that only a college student’s schedule could allow for.
1. Gasparilla
What: Named after pirate Jose Gaspar, Gasparilla is an all day parade that centers around an invasion of pirates into South Tampa. A 165-foot ship filled with members of “Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla” and a flotilla of hundreds of smaller boats sail into downtown Tampa to begin the parade. The pirates then board floats on Bayshore Boulevard, where they throw coins, beads, and trinkets at a drunk pirate-clad crowd. If you’re from south Tampa, it’s probably your favorite holiday, and if you’re not, it’s still a great excuse to dress up like a pirate and get drunk in the sunshine.
When: Jan. 30
Where: Downtown Tampa, FL
2. Mardi Gras
What: Ironically based around the Catholic liturgical calendar, Mardi Gras concludes an entire season of celebrating. Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” is the last day before fasting for Lent begins. Basically, the motto behind this huge celebration is “living it up before giving it up.” The weekend before Fat Tuesday is the most popular time to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras. This includes the biggest parades, like Bacchus and Endymion. Not only is this a booze-filled three day party in the streets of New Orleans, but it also exposes you to a wealth of beautiful creole culture and the best street food you’ll ever eat.
When: Feb. 5 through 9
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
3. Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival
What: Florida’s been waiting for this. After the first annual Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival this spring, Okeechobee, FL may finally be recognized as more than just that big blue dot in the center of the state.The line up includes a variety of genres all the way from Hall and Oats to Fetty Wap. See the full line-up here.
When: March 4 through 6
Where: Sunshine Grove, Okeechobee, FL
4. Auburn Rodeo
What: Not only is Alpha Psi’s Auburn Rodeo one of the largest Greek philanthropic events in the nation, it’s also a pretty decent party. Largely benefiting Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, this all day event is complete with a big stage country concert and a true southern tailgating atmosphere. Whether you’re into the country scene or not, it's hard to ignore the appeal of a huge field of cutoff-wearing college girls and coolers full of beer.
When: April 2
Where: Auburn, Alabama
5. Spring Weekend
What: Ah, the infamous Spring Weekend. Basically all the debauchery of the spring breaks you saw in movies growing up, but with a lot more alcohol and a bit less dignity. This beach weekend is packed with small neon bikinis and copious amounts of frat tanks. Marketed as a music festival but more realistically just an opportunity to get drunk of the beach and maybe get a picture of yourself on someone’s shoulders holding a frat flag.
When: April 15 and 16
Where: Panama City Beach, Florida
