After urging from students disappointed about missing St. Patrick's Day during spring break, some State College bars are planning to celebrate the holiday March 2.

"We were working on our business planning for the year and saw how the school calendar fell," Mike Desmond, managing partner in the Hotel State College Company, said. "We were concerned that we were going to miss out on the benefits of St. Patrick's Day being celebrated by students."

Desmond, who operates popular downtown hotspots such as Zeno's, Bill Pickle's Tap Room and Player's Night Club, said his hopes for the March 2 event are high.

"It's really gaining momentum -- we're responding to what we hear the students talking about, and we'll go out and provide a St. Patrick's Day celebration for them," Desmond said.

This year, St. Patrick's Day falls two days before Monday classes resume, when students would typically be away for break.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon expressed concern about the celebration's shift.

"Anything that would promote more alcohol is in no way good for the community," Mahon said. "Every year, there have been people who have ended up in the emergency room with alcohol overdoses. I would have concerns if people suddenly declare another day of the year St. Patrick's Day."

Students have been voicing desire for the calendar rearrangement through a group on facebook.com -- "The Official Group to Move St. Patrick's Day 2007."

According to the site, the Penn State group, which surpassed 3,000 members yesterday, was created to continue the tradition of the popular Happy Valley holiday because, according to the group's page, "we all know how much fun it is to go to 9am's three sheets to the wind."

Group creator Joe Veltre (junior-biochemistry and molecular biology) said he was moved to return Irish spirit to the valley after hearing complaints from fellow students.

"Everyone was bummed that it wouldn't be the same social air that it was the last couple of years," Verde said. "Hopefully more people will catch on, and we can get everyone dressed up and out all weekend."

Other students agree the holiday is important even if it is not on the official weekend.

"It was just our desire to see St. Patrick's Day once again at Penn State," Facebook group administrator Eric Kirse (junior-information science and technology) said. "We realized the epic nature of moving a national holiday for 40,000 students and decided that, with nothing to lose, we were going to make it happen."

Local bars said they are planning on having great deals on tap for the weekend.

"We'll put some green on and try to serve some quality food and beverage," Desmond said. "It will be much the same and it will be a memorable occasion, I'm sure."

Local officials aren't so optimistic about the move.

"If it's an additional day for the St. Patrick's Day drinking -- when people feel compelled to start at 7 a.m. -- it's definitely going to have an effect on the community," State College Borough Council member Cathy Dauler said.

Desmond said he views the student effort as a valiant undertaking.

"I think it's great that students take issues into their own hands," he said. "They should probably get organized, be creative and take more actions like this."

The Phyrst, 111 E. Beaver Ave., the All-American Rathskeller, 108 S. Pugh St., and The Brewery, 233 E. Beaver Ave., could not be reached for comment about the move.

A representative for the Deli, 113 Hiester St., the Saloon, 101 Hiester St., and Bar Bleu, 114 S. Garner St., said he would not comment until tomorrow.

The manager of Café 210 West, 210 W. College Ave., said he had not heard of the possible change.