CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Despite the rain, snow, and large wind gusts over the weekend in Central Illinois, the wintry weather did not stop many U of I students from participating in Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day.
The annual tradition dating back to the 1990s has a history of leading to arrests and hospitalizations. Participation in the event has decreased in recent years.
U of I students still lined up at campus bars on Green Street in Champaign to celebrate.
“Because of Covid and stuff, I didn’t really get to have an Unofficial,” said Emma Mize, a U of I student. “So senior year, this is the first Unofficial I get to really participate in, so you know I wanted to go out with a bang and just full send it.”
The tradition was created by a campus bar owner.
