State Patty’s Day Weekend Brings Heightened Concern Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

It’s been a Penn State student-created drinking tradition since 2007: State Patty’s Day, a weekend of drinking in bars and apartments in State College.

The weekend has caused headaches for the borough, university and residents, but in recent years has been on the decline. Since its peak in 2011, police and EMS calls have dropped. In 2020, a total of 124 crimes and ordinance violations were reported to State College and Penn State police during the weekend, among the lowest in the event’s history.

State Patty’s Day 2021 is expected to occur this weekend. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, just how different will it be?

With COVID still a serious concern and State College’s temporary masking and gathering ordinance still in effect, parties this weekend will be closely watched.

Damon Sims, vice president for student affairs, says officials are hopeful, but they need student help.

“The one thing we don’t want to have happen is to let State Patty’s become the super spreader that undoes everything that we’ve done to try to keep everybody here for as long as we can and to open things up for in-person experiences as much as we possibly can,” Sims said.

The downtown scene, although significantly affected by social distancing rules, is still expected to be busy with partying students. University officials and the borough are asking students and the larger community to do their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Police remind that the borough’s COVID-19 ordinance restricts residential gatherings to 10 people and requires masks in most public places, with some exceptions. It also restricts waiting lines on public sidewalks to no more than 10 people spaced 6 feet apart.

Those found in violation are subject to a citation and fine of $300.

Penn State students also are reminded to follow the COVID-19 Compact, which outlines expectations for following health and safety requirements.

Police will once again have a substantial presence throughout the downtown and have urged downtown residents not to invite guests for the weekend.

They stressed that it is important to continue social distancing and masking to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community.