Just as students at places like the University of Illinois have made an unofficial St. Patrick's Day an annual tradition, Penn State students and some downtown businesses appear set on making last year's celebration more than a one-time affair.

For the second year in a row, Penn State students will be celebrating State Patty's Day prior to the traditional Irish holiday's official date. Initially, two days were bandied about for the celebration: Saturday, March 1, and Thursday, March 6.

Many people, including the local Irish bar The Phyrst, 111 1/2 E. Beaver Ave., and other downtown stores, seem to be preparing for this Saturday.

Employee Maryann Kwietkowski (sophomore-graphic design) of the Student Book Store, 330 E. College Ave., said the store currently has, and is getting more, Irish-themed clothing in as State Patty's Day looms. There are green long-sleeved T-shirts, short sleeved T-shirts and hats.

"A lot of girls have been coming in and buying the 'I love PSU' shirt with the clover," she said.

Merchandise prices range from $12.99 to $17.99. Kwietkowski said she expects a lot of people will come in on the actual State Patty's Day to buy clothing, similar to what happens during home football games.

Grace Mehalick, manager of McLanahan's Student Store & Penn State Room, 414 E. College Ave., said the store has been selling a lot of T-shirts, beads, and hats. Although Mehalick did not have exact sale numbers, she only expects sales to go up as the day gets closer, she said.

"State Patty's Day is a big day here," she said.

T-shirts are $7.99, while beads and hats range in price depending on the specific type. The most popular T-shirt thus far is a green shirt with State Patty's Day written in block, white lettering, she said.

Employee and 2007 graduate Matt Germino of the Family Clothesline, 352 E. College Ave., said the store is carrying two T-shirt designs for State Patty's Day. The shirts come in green and black colors, have "State Patty's Day 2008" written across the front and are $6.99.

"They seem to be selling pretty well -- as well as they did last year," he said.

Another option for students is to order T-shirts off the State Patty's Day 2008 website, www.statepattysday.org/shirts, where there are three possible T-shirt designs that come in green and black colors. According to the Web site, $3 from every shirt sold will be donated to the Panhellenic/Interfraternity Dance Marathon 2008.

Lion's Pride is also currently selling Irish-themed clothing. While the store is not selling any merchandise that says "State Patty's Day," the merchandise comes in festive white and green colors, manager Steve Moyer said.

"The green one is the one that's selling better," Moyer said.

To date, Moyer estimates the store has sold 150 shirts so far and expects to sell more before the celebrations.

With the downtown establishments' participation, students seemed enthusiastic about the holiday's second year of festivities.

Shahbaz Sadaruddin (senior-neuroscience) said he would be participating in State Patty's Day.

"I think my fraternity is having a daylong party," he said. "Last year we did the same thing."

Sadaruddin said he planned to buy a big leprechaun hat and green T-shirt.

Amanda Estep (sophomore-chemical engineering) also said she planned to celebrate State Patty's in festive St. Patrick's Day colors.

"I bought a shirt last year and I'll probably just wear that again," she said.

Estep said she would participate in the celebration no matter what the "official" date of State Patty's was.

"There's like two days," she said. "I'll probably celebrate both. But I'm not 21 so it's not like I can go to the bars."

Other downtown establishments will also contribute to the celebrations.

Employee Sam Brewer (senior-accounting), of The Phyrst, said the establishment will be participating in the holiday's celebrations again.

"We'll open early at 9 a.m. and have green beer," he said. "We'll have bands all day."

Last year, the bar denied that it would be celebrating State Patty's Day, but on the date of the unofficial holiday the bar opened at 10:30 a.m. and served green beer while a band played Irish music.

Brewer said the bar orders hats and T-shirts, but the designs and orders usually happen at the last minute. He said the bar would be prepared for "as many people as we can fit."

"I'm sure there will be people lined up when we open at 9 a.m.," Brewer said.

However, not all establishments will be having festive specials.

Manager Justin Kramm, of the Gingerbread Man, 130 Hiester St., said State Patty's Day would just be another normal day of business for them.

"There are so many dates going around and we'll be ready for any customers coming out but we won't be doing any State Patty's Day festivities," he said.