Just as the hangovers of another State Patty's Day have subsided, some students are already marking another day of drunken revelry on their calendars.
Planned for March 27, a 10-stop bar tour dubbed "Happy Valley DrinkFest" will attempt to "unify the senior class for one last time," according to its Web site.
But for some local community members, the thought of another alcohol-centered 'holiday' is unfathomable.
"It's one thing to drink responsibly, but when people think they need to pass out or dedicate any official 'holiday' -- I don't get it," Penn State Police Deputy Director Tyrone Parham said. "That's from the perspective of a cop and a Penn State alumnus."
DrinkFest's Facebook group currently boasts more than 700 members, and the creators, who identified themselves only as two members of the senior class, are preparing to orchestrate what they predict will be the "largest collegiate bar tour in the country."
About 100 tour T-shirts have already been sold and will be on sale until March 5, according to the Web site, happyvalleydrinkfest.com.
The Web site, which lists many of the popular local bars as stops on the tour -- including Café 210 West and the Gingerbread Man -- says the specific date was selected because it doesn't interfere with final exams and falls conveniently between spring break and Greek Week.
Though Café 210 West co-owner J.R. Mangan said he only recently became aware of the event after coming across the Web site, he's skeptical it will gain much momentum as the prospective date approaches.
While bar tours tend to be prevalent in State College during the second half of the spring semester, Mangan said he can't recall any alarming incidents that have occurred in his 210 W. College Ave. establishment as a result of one.
But not all local bar officials have had such a positive experience with accommodating so many heavily intoxicated customers.
"There's a little pressure at times when you have that kind of influx of people," said Gene Maley, manager of The Gingerbread Man, 130 Heister St. "I'm kind of indifferent. I don't mind it, but I would guess it's not endorsed by the bar community."
The Tavern Association recently demonstrated a united front in curtailing the day-long drinking associated with State Patty's Day, with downtown bars agreeing to keep regular hours and abstain from State Patty's-themed drink specials.
President of the Tavern Association Jennifer Zangrilli said the association will discuss a possible course of action on Happy Valley DrinkFest in its next meeting planned for after spring break.
"I've lived in State College all my life," Zangrilli said. "Drinking has always been a part of the college culture. I don't care what university you go to, the difference I see here is in the result of their actions. Once they become inebriated, it has become more violent than before."
But to University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) Student Life and Diversity Chairman Christian Ragland, student government should consider brainstorming alternative approaches to unifying the senior class.
Ragland (junior-political science) said he encourages seniors to enjoy their remaining time at Penn State without sacrificing their safety.
"We're looking to them to set an example," Ragland said. "This year is a year where we want to get rid of this idea of a dangerous drinking culture."
