Why Saint Patrick’s Day is better at MSU than anywhere else

Who will celebrate St. Patty’s day from dawn to dusk (or possibly longer)? Spartans will. Green clothes, green decorations and green beer are a few of the essentials that are seen throughout campus on March 17^th of every year. The one day where the colors of the Spartans are worn around the world, are even more proudly represented all around East Lansing. As a school lavished with traditions, these yearly celebrations are a primary example of one that is passed on. Year after year, the Spartan family continues to build an image that is in fact nationally known for how we go about this holiday.

Game Day or St. Patty’s Day? Green is a prominent asset either way

When the worlds collide, a school notorious for both partying and green meet the holiday that is celebrated this way, us Spartans have no problem with showing all the other schools around Michigan how it’s done. After asking students from other schools about how St. Patrick’s Day is viewed and some of the things that occur on or around their campus, the responses were all generally the same, even ending with something around the lines of “but I heard you guys just go all out”. So, not only is this a known thing throughout East Lansing, but all around Michigan.

Granted, if you ask other schools how they celebrated this holiday and how they view it, they claim it is a big deal. However, a majority of these schools only have bar days or have a few darties/parties that they might go to here and there. At Grand Valley, both a dry campus and lacking an abundance of houses unlike here at Michigan State, “Irish on Ionia is huge. But that’s strictly 21+” says a second year student attending there. The students at Central who were asked all said they didn’t know what they’re doing yet, and those in the U.P. responded with: “not a huge deal at all” or “maybe some day drinking”. Even down south they know what we’re all about on this day. With their spring break always falling over St. Patrick’s Day, someone has to compensate for them missing out.

One of the many Facebook invites sent out

Unlike the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, our St. Patty’s Day isn’t just restricted to the inside of frat houses for “St. Fratties Day”, nor is it a holiday that is planned the day before, or even the week before. From my personal experience and from the stories of others, preparations have begun at least two weeks out. Facebook events have been sent out weeks in advanced in order to get the word spread of all the events occurring on and off campus. Personally, I will even admit that I have planned my excused absences in preparation for this holiday. Among a plethora of other events, students look forward to this day all semester, “you can’t even describe St. Patty’s Day in EL. It’s a day consisting of pure fun, where all of the students come together and have a great time. No matter where you go you will be welcomed with open arms to celebrate a great time” says third year student, Kelley McKay.

Spartans posing before they go out for the big day

Regardless of how you may end up spending your St. Patrick’s Day here in East Lansing, there is no wrong way to go about it. With such a variety of events going on there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you decide to say in or go outside your comfort zone and try something new, who knows, you might just get the luck of the Irish and find a pot of gold, or even a keg! So whatever it may be just know you have 50,000 of your closest Spartan friends with you right on campus celebrating the same thing. Always remember: Who will out-celebrate all other schools? Spartans will.