When shamrocks and a plethora of green decorations fill the air, CU students know it’s St. Patrick’s Day.
The Irish holiday falls on Wednesday, March 17 this year. Despite the weeknight, students like Barry Nadeau, a 20-year-old sophomore communication major, said they still plan to celebrate.
“I’m planning on going to multiple parties,” Nadeau said. “I can’t go to bars yet.”
Nadeau said he hopes to celebrate with green beer.
“If this year is like last year, we’ll have three kegs of green beer,” Nadeau said. “Last year was awesome; I had 150 people in my house. Hopefully this St. Patrick’s Day will be the same.”
Students over 21 years of age have the option to visit bars in downtown Boulder.
“I’m going to the bars off Pearl Street,” said Cassidy Willey, a 22-year-old senior Spanish literature major. “Hopefully I’ll go to Conor O’Neills, but it’s their busiest day of the year.”
Willey said she also plans to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day celebration with music.
“They’ll have live music on Pearl,” Willey said. “I’ll also make an appearance at reggae night at the Draft House.”
Despite increased drinking, students can still say safe.
Suzanne Stafford, the director of Off-Campus Student Services, said students can take precautions to keep themselves safe and out of trouble.
“We recommend students read our ‘Safe Party’ guidelines if they’re having any party,” Stafford said. “Make sure to have food in your system and alternate every other beverage with water.”
Michelle Willett, the marketing coordinator for OCSS, said students should cooperate with the police if an incident occurs.
“If the police do come, cooperate instead of argue,” Willett said. “You’ll probably get a more favorable outcome.”
However, the St. Patrick’s school night limits celebration options for students like Lance Markovchick, a 20-year-old sophomore aerospace engineering major.
“I have an 8 a.m. class on Thursday morning,” Markovchick said. “I probably won’t do anything for St. Patrick’s.”
Cecilia Costelow, a 21-year-old senior French major, said she is too busy to go out Wednesday night.
“I might wear some green and have a beer, but I have too much to do to go out,” Costelow said. “Maybe I’ll make some green cookies.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jennifer Retter at Jennifer.retter@colorado.edu.
