March starts with a special kind of rhythm in Rolla. A thump, thump, thump. Each year, the epicenter of this tempo is a muddy and beaten patch of ground along the Missouri S&T quad. Outside of Toomey Hall on March 4, the snake invasion began again, harkening to the emerald days to come.
“It's a lot of fun, and takes a long time, but if you learn to enjoy it, it becomes even more fun,” said a mud-caked freshman civil engineering student Wyatt Stafford. “To be honest, I'll probably just throw these jeans away. I’m also going to be taking a long shower.”
Speaking at the noon hour, Stafford said he was wrapping up third hour in the mud and was getting ready to start his fourth. He’d also just bitten the head off his eighth snake.
“I think tradition is always important,” Stafford added. “I’m happy to be part of keeping this thing going.”
New to Rolla? The annual snake invasion is one of the official kickoffs of Missouri S&T’s St. Pats celebration. For the past 116 years, students and alumni have come together in celebration of the patron saint of engineers. Joining them are thousands from across the state to enjoy the spectacle. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Shamrocks and Shipwrecks.”
“It's a time that the whole campus comes together,” said Emily Gurley, a junior majoring in computer engineering. “It's fun to see the energy and everyone actually out and about. It's also a good break from school when we have a couple days off.”
Senior computer engineering student Bih Awasom was at that moment not far away and likewise covered in mud. She said she was on assignment in the pit for KMNR and hosts two regular Tuesday shows for the radio station.
“I’m already bleeding from wrestling a girl and a bunch of my friends are coming. It's fun to hang out my friends and do dumb things,” Awasom said. “I didn’t know about this when I first enrolled here, but after my first year it really grew on me. I want to go to Ireland after I graduate. I really appreciate the tradition. It's definitely now a part of me.”
Rolla may not be the biggest city or have the grandest halls. However, our town can boast of having the best St. Pats in the state, and most of the neighbors too. It’s something that’s only possible with the wisdom of 116 years, and a youthful heart.
The current schedule for the 116th Best Ever St. Pat’s celebration at Missouri S&T is as follows:
11:30 a.m. to noon: Court arrival at the Puck. St. Pat and the court, portrayed by S&T students, will officially arrive in Rolla aboard a converted railway car. They will proceed from the corner of 6th and Pine streets to the Carney Puck and Plaza on the S&T campus for the final day of St. Pat’s Follies.
Noon-6 p.m.: Gonzo and Games and Gonzo Carnival at Schuman Park, located at 103 E. 14th St. in Rolla. Gonzo and Games is a two-day contest in which student organizations compete in various games. The Gonzo Carnival will be held alongside Gonzo and Games, featuring booths run by student organizations.
9 a.m.: Gonzo Gives Back Day of Service. Students will participate in volunteer work in the Rolla community.
Noon-6 p.m.: Gonzo and Games and Gonzo Carnival, Schuman Park.
9 p.m.: Coronation and Knighting Ceremony at Leach Theatre in Castleman Hall, located at 10th and Main streets in Rolla. The 2024 St. Pat’s Queen and her court will be announced, and S&T’s Honorary Knights will be recognized. The event is open to the public and free to attend.
8 a.m. St. Pat’s 5K and Beer Run. The 5K is sponsored by the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and Blue Fish Screen Printing and Designs, while the Beer Run is sponsored by the Rolla Chamber and Public House Brewing Company. Registration is $35 for either race, or participants can register for both events for $60. For more information or to register, visit besteverstpats5k.itsyourrace.com.
9-10:30 a.m. Pre-Parade Breakfast, outside Hasselmann Alumni House at 1100 N. Pine St. in the north parking lot. This event is hosted by the Miner Alumni Association and is free and open to the community on a first-come, first-served basis.
11 a.m. St. Pat’s Parade on Pine Street in downtown Rolla. This year the parade will start at the intersection of 6th Street and Rolla Street, travel east to Pine Street, north on Pine to 11th Street, west on 11th Street to Rolla Street, and south on Rolla Street, to finish at 9th Street.
1 p.m. Grateful Board Concert at the Rolla Bandshell, featuring Just Another Dead Band.
7 p.m. St. Pat’s Concert on the Havener Lawn featuring rapper BBno$. Tickets are required and are free for S&T students, faculty, and staff. Students may purchase tickets for non-S&T guests for $20 in advance. The remaining tickets will be available at the event for the same price. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
For more information on Missouri S&T’s St. Pat’s celebrations, visit the St. Pat’s Board website at stpats.mst.edu.
