Published 2012-03-27T21:26:00Z”/>
August Walsh
A sea of green costumes and Irish-themed folk dancers flooded Chico State’s campus on St. Patrick’s Day.
The 11th annual Shamrock Shuffle took place March 17, providing free breakfast and T-shirts for participants, said Theresa Fagouri, coordinator for the Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center. About 300 participants preregistered and more than 100 showed up and registered the day of the three-mile run or 1 1/2 mile walk.
“It’s a fun run or walk around campus, and it’s free for students and Butte College students because Butte College gives us some money to put on the event on as well,” she said. “It’s a prevention effort, because the bars used to open at 6 a.m. here in town and so we wanted to deter the students from just hitting the bars, so we provided this event.”
T-shirts were not the only prizes given out during the event to entice students to stay sober, Fagouri said.
“We give out free T-shirts here because the bars used to give out free T-shirts,” she said. “This is a way to get students to stay on campus instead of just going to the bars. We give out awards for tiniest leprechaun, most mature leprechaun and greenest leprechaun.”
Free pancakes and clothing were enough to get Michael Yang, a senior liberal studies major, to go to the event, he said.
“I came out to support the event and to get a free shirt, and I think the event is pretty nice,” he said. “I had three pancakes and two sausages for free.”
Although free food is a perk for attending the event, there are other reasons to go as well, said Tyler Spangler, a junior civil engineering major.
“I like supporting my Irish heritage while getting a free shirt and food,” he said. “Three great reasons to come out and support.”
Spangler finished the three-mile run in first place with a time of about 16 minutes, 45 seconds.
“I love St. Patty’s Day and how the community came together and had a great time,” Spangler said.
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<strong>August Walsh can be reached at</strong>
<em>[email protected]</em>
