Fake Paddy’s Day will soon be upon us, which means the city of Kent will be overrun with students out to celebrate the day in their best green attire. Kent plans to hold its Fake Paddy’s Day on March 22, the weekend after Kent State students return from spring break.
For those who don’t know, Fake Paddy’s Day is when university students gather for an unofficial St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and it often involves a lot of drinking. The celebration can begin as early as 5 or 6 a.m. and continues until the bars close early on Sunday. Fake Paddy’s Day can often get out of hand, and be an extremely crowded event. So, I’ve put together five steps I plan to take to have a safe, but also fun time this Fake Paddy’s Day.
- Keeping Track of Alcohol Intake
-
While I do not support excessive binge drinking, I feel keeping track of how much alcohol is being consumed is an important step to take, especially for a celebration most known for drinking a lot of alcohol. My friends and I always try to keep track of the number of drinks we are consuming and cut ourselves (or each other) off, if we ever feel we have begun to have too much.
- Hydrate and take Breaks
-
Fake Paddy’s is one of the longest celebrations I’ve known to take place in college towns such as Kent. While my friends and I do not plan to be celebrating all day, I know it is a popular thing to do. Hydrating and electrolyte replenishment is crucial when it comes to avoiding or battling a hangover. Taking breaks between night and day celebrations, if you do plan to celebrate all day, is also not a bad idea. Going home to hydrate and take a nap (if you plan to go back out) could be beneficial.
- The buddy system
-
With how crowded Kent will be, it is important to stick together. My friends and I always have a buddy or group system when we go out. No one is ever left behind on their own, or left to walk home alone. Another general rule is to never take a drink from a stranger, especially if you did not see them make or open it.
In addition, my friends and I are sure to never leave our drinks unattended. Drink spiking is a very real thing. In fact, around 8% of college students have reported being the victim of a drink spiking accident. So, always try to be alert for the safety of yourself and your friends.
- Look good while doing it
-
Now, what about having some fun? Putting together a cute outfit is one of the best parts of going out in my opinion. I love a green pants moment for Fake Paddy’s, and Plato’s closet as well as other local thrifts are most likely full of them right now. Her Campus at Kent State will also be holding a DIY patchwork t-shirt night for its members on March 17 at 6 p.m. which will provide a great time to revamp an old t-shirt into a new, cute and one-of-a-kind shirt, just in time for Kent’s celebration of Fake Paddy’s Day!
- Getting Ready Together
-
Getting ready with my friends is also something I love. We make it fun by finding or making a themed playlist to listen to and dance to as we get ready. Cooking a fun dinner and playing games while we eat are two more things we love to do before a night out.
For Fake Paddy’s, we plan to each prepare our favorite type of potato for dinner which, as a potato lover, I am so excited for. A few of our favorite games to play are Telestrations, Cards Against Humanity and Ransom Notes.
For everyone who plans to celebrate Fake Paddy’s this year, I hope you have a great time, but I also hope these tips will help you and your friends stay diligent and safe!