On Saturday, March 19, Manhattan celebrated its first St. Patrick’s Day following lifted COVID-19 regulations at Kansas State with the town’s 44th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Aggieville.
Nearly two thousand people were present at the event, admiring well-decorated parade floats, wearing green, running in the Shamrock two-mile Fun Run and much more. Adults and children assembled in celebratory fashion, sweeping through Aggieville.
The thousands of green-clothed spectators made the streets resemble the dyed Chicago River rather than a lofty procession. However, several other students admittedly spent their St. Patrick’s Day partaking in various activities in and out of Manhattan for their spring break.
Bryce Tomka, sophomore in psychology, traveled from Manhattan to Utah on a camping trip for Spring break.
“We stopped in Fort Collins [Colorado] not realizing it was St. Patrick’s Day, but we ended up having a great time anyway,” Tomka said. “It was only when my friends and I saw an older man on the street wearing a kilt that we had finally realized it was St. Patrick’s Day.”
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Alexander Auker, sophomore in athletic training and rehabilitation sciences, celebrated his St. Patrick’s Day at home with his fraternity brothers, watching the infamous horror film, “Leprechaun,” starring Jennifer Aniston.
“I watch Leprechaun every St. Patrick’s Day,” Auker said. “It’s my fun little tribute to Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day has been my favorite holiday for years, and I love it!”
Student Senator Jacob Brown, sophomore in history pre-law, devoted his St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate his Irish heritage with his mother in Aggieville, taking part in Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Day parade before grabbing dinner.
“There were lots of green, lots of people, lots of festivities,” Brown said. “Everyone was having a ball, especially the kids.”
Given the high attendance witnessed in Manhattan this latest Fake Patty’s Day, it is evident that many Manhattan locals were incredibly forthcoming this year. Many maintained their marvel yearly attendance and a high degree of good spirits for the not-so-national holiday.
St. Patrick’s Day continues, yet again, to be an Irish-fueled hit at K-State, while eager students await next year’s Fake Patty’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day — the favorite holidays of many K-State students.
