To darty or not to darty, that is the question.
St. Patrick’s day serves as an excuse for young people across the country to party, socialize, and of course, wear green. Here at St. Olaf, flocks of students congregate off-campus to do this very thing. Despite the lack of party culture that often leaves people questioning where to go on a Saturday night, the student body seems to rally around the annual St. Patty’s Day darty. In the week leading up to the event, murmurs of “Will I see you on Saturday?” and “Do you have any green I can wear?” can be heard all across campus. This all-day event serves as the singular day each year that students from all corners of campus can be seen crowding together to play a round of cup pong and sing “Rattlin’ bog.”
The St. Patty’s Day darty does not come without its faults. A Minnesota March often comes with unreliable and unpredictable weather patterns. Attending this social event means bundling up to brave the cold, and possibly wet, environment all day long. Each year, students expect to layer up before heading out to brave the wind, rain, or snow. Since this event appears to be the peak of St. Olaf party culture, it also seems to draw a crowd. By 11 a.m., the streets are painted in every shade of green. A sea of students yelling, laughing, and making a ruckus fill the streets. This event is, by far, the social event of the school year.
It should not come as a surprise that the small, liberal arts, alcohol policed campus does not provide many opportunities for students to have parties such as those at large state schools. For some people, this day is a way for St. Olaf students to live as a frat boy or sorority girl for a day. For others, it serves as an escape from upcoming midterms. Regardless of the reason, the St. Patty’s Day darty is a beloved day for much of the student body.
So, is attending the darty worth battling the cold and trampling through crowds? The answer is undoubtedly yes.
After escaping the dark winter season and a year filled with studying, students deserve one day to let loose. Anyone who attends St. Olaf knows that the campus is by no means a party school, so students should take advantage and savor this yearly opportunity. The whole day can be spent with friends and fellow students. It provides everyone with the chance to wear their favorite green sweatshirt and, at the very least, pick out a clever BORG name. The all day festivities give people the chance to hang around for an hour, or all afternoon if they so choose.
The opportunities are endless. Due to the popularity of the darty, students can mingle and meet other students whose paths they may never have crossed before. This day brings the St. Olaf Community together. St. Patty’s Day will come and go within the next week. Those who choose to attend can rally their friends and enjoy all the festivities the darty has to offer.
The opinions in this article are not affiliated with The Olaf Messenger or St. Olaf College.
