(Photo: The Big Lead)
There’s no denying the excitement of Arts Fest, the anticipation of Homecoming or the one-of-a-kind experience of State Patty’s Day, and yet, in my mind, none of them can compare to the non-stop celebration that is Blue-White weekend.
Maybe it’s the outpouring of alumni who come back to visit their favorite place or the free food and prizes being handed out at every corner. Whatever the case may be, I’ve discovered there’s more than a few reasons why Blue-White weekend is truly the greatest weekend of the year.
1.TAILGATES ON TAILGATES ON TAILGATES.
Not only is it a Penn Stater’s favorite hobby, but we’re actually given the chance to do it again without wearing ten layers of clothing and having to take off our gloves every time we want to grab another mouthful of buffalo chicken dip.
2. You don’t have to feel as bad for missing the game.
Though the game is the biggest event of the weekend, if you’re… let’s just say… too “busy” to realize that kickoff happened an hour ago, you don’t have to feel as guilty as you would during regular season. Besides, no matter what quarter they’re in, you can be sure the Nittany Lions are ahead… am I right?
3. Seeing visitors experience Penn State for the first time.
I know, I know, “they don’t even go here,” but watching our out-of-town friends and various Penn State rookies experience what this school is all about is probably one of the best forms of entertainment of the entire weekend.
4. The recent grads come back into town.
It’s always a bummer seeing your close friends graduate and become real people at the end of every year. Luckily, Blue-White weekend brings them all flooding back to the carefree college lives they so regretfully left behind.
5. Adorable PSU families everywhere.
There is absolutely nothing cuter than a mom and dad, who are clearly both alumni, walking around Beaver Stadium with their little Nittany Lions. End of story. #LifeGoals
6. Everything is free.
Okay, so maybe not everything; but not having to worry about getting your friends tickets to the game and being handed free giveaways everywhere you go are definitely pluses.
7. It’s Happy Valley’s official start to spring.
For most schools, spring started about a month ago. Well, not for us. State College decided to wait it out a few weeks and save the nice weather for when we need it most – tailgate time.
8. Seeing alumni relive their glory days.
Let’s be real, alumni are the best. There’s nothing better than seeing a 60-year-old dad playing dizzy bat or a Penn State mom finding her way into a frat tailgate. No matter how many years out of college they may be, somehow they manage to turn back into rowdy college students faster than you can say, “WE ARE!” …and we love them for it.
9. The return to Beaver Stadium
With the less than pleasant weather we’ve experienced these past few months, it’s safe to say we’ve been in hibernation. But there’s nothing like the call of Penn State football to bring us right back into the great outdoors. Beaver Stadium will once again be packed with the greatest student section in the country, and that’s reason enough to get excited.
10. It’s the epitome of Penn State pride.
The title says it all. Blue-White weekend is all about celebrating what this school truly stands for – the pride, the glory, the honor. You will see it on the faces of every student, alumni and future Nittany Lion you encounter, and it makes for one truly magical experience.
So, argue if you may, but there’s no denying the excitement that is building inside each and every one of you over the anticipation of this weekend. So break out the jerseys, tuck in those poms-poms and get ready for the greatest weekend of the year. Happy Blue-White Penn State!