STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – A week after Penn State students stood together against childhood cancer, they rallied once again—this time bathed in bright green. Throughout the streets, parties and intoxicated 20-year-olds ran rampant.

Bar lines were wrapped around each corner. Fraternities blasted speakers in exaggerated white tents. Girls wore hats that read, “Kiss me I’m Irish,” while taking part in the infamous keg-stand.

The student-lead holiday known as State Patty’s Day swept through downtown on Saturday. The State College Police Department reported a surge in alcohol-related incidents, issuing dozens of citations and making several arrests to maintain order.

Despite preemptive warnings, months of preparation, and heightened enforcement, the student-driven drinking holiday once again left local law enforcement officials struggling to keep up.

The State College Police Department confirmed that officers responded to multiple cases of disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and medical emergencies throughout the day in a statement on Monday.

“Many who engaged in excessive drinking were from out of town and were visiting students and residents living in State College,” the statement read. “As a result, we had many problems with the number and severity of alcohol violations, noise complaints, vandalism, fights in apartment buildings, and throughout the community during this weekend.”

Local law enforcement collaborated with downtown businesses and outside agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Police, in an effort to “curb excessive drinking and maintain order.” Undercover officers monitored bars and party hotspots, watching for underage individuals using fake IDs and bartenders over-serving customers.

As part of its ongoing efforts, the department continues to work alongside Penn State’s Office of Student Conduct (OSC) to address issues such as disorderly conduct, underage drinking, and public intoxication. The OSC’s code of conduct applies to students both on and off campus, with disciplinary measures in place for those cited or arrested.

In a statement, police urged residents to “refrain from engaging in behaviors that violate the law or University policy,” limit visitors, and help maintain a “safe and peaceful atmosphere” throughout the weekend.

Local landlords also took precautions leading up to the event. PMI, one of the largest property management companies in State College, emailed residents ahead of the weekend, notifying them that they would be closely monitoring apartment occupancy and limiting the number of guests allowed in rental units to prevent overcrowding.

Despite university efforts to discourage participation, many students embraced the annual tradition that began in 2007. Penn State senior Gracie Watkins attended several gatherings and felt the police presence was excessive.

“I get that they want to keep people safe, but it felt like they were looking for reasons to shut things down,” Watkins said. “We were just trying to have fun, and it felt like there was a cop on every corner.”

However, some students supported the increased enforcement. Kenny Rooney, whose house party got out of hand, was grateful for the help of the police department.

“At first, I was annoyed that they kept coming around, but then my party started getting out of control,” said Rooney. “People I didn’t know were showing up, and it was getting messy. The cops helped clear things out before it got too crazy.”

Following the mayhem, Penn State students hang up their green “Who’s your Paddy” shirts until next year– when they will inevitably be broken out again. Until then, they are left recovering from the weekend’s mischief.

Simultaneously, State College officials plan ahead, exploring measures to further curb the event’s impact in the future. For now, residents and business owners are left cleaning up the remnants of yet another State Patty’s Day.

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