Green beer and green beads can only mean one thing.
Many local businesses are celebrating St. Patrick's Day early, before students head out of town on spring break.
The national holiday of Ireland, St. Patrick's Day celebrations are generally themed around all things Irish -- the color green, food, parades and, most importantly, beer.
The day falls on Tuesday, March 17.
However, many bars are celebrating early this week so students can enjoy the holiday in Auburn as well as their chosen spring break destinations.
The St. Patrick's Day celebrations will provide students with an outlet to relieve the stress of the week and socialize before the break.
Jessica Salazar, a junior in international business, said she has work due in every class and this is one of the toughest weeks of the semester.
"This week is crunch time for me and probably for most students," Salazar said. "I personally won't be able to enjoy all of the St. Patty's festivities, but I'm sure a lot of students will use it as a kickoff to spring break."
Sky Bar Cafe will host its St. Patrick's Day Bash today. The bar will open at 2 p.m. and will feature music by Plato Jones.
The bar will serve $1 green beer, $3.50 Irish car bombs and $2.50 16 oz. Irish Bud aluminum specials.
In Italy will be open tonight as well and will have several specials in celebration of the holiday.
However, the bar and restaurant will not celebrate Tuesday, nor will it be open the entire week of spring break.
The week before spring break is often packed with tests, papers and studying.
Many professors use the 10-day break to grade work and catch up before students return for the last part of the semester.
The St. Patrick's Day celebrations will provide students with an outlet to relieve the stress of the week and socialize before the break.
Although many of the bars are celebrating early, many restaurants and local businesses will celebrate on the actual holiday.
Shakey's Pizza Parlor will stay open until 10 p.m. on Tuesday and serve $5 Bud Light, Miller Lite, Landshark and Yuengling pitchers.
They will also have $7 Blue Moon and Sam Adams pitchers.
Seth Parker, a junior in finance and shift manager at Shakey's, said the employees will don all green attire and pass out green beads and St. Patty's Day memorabilia to customers.
"There is probably going to be more of a family crowd on Tuesday because we expect most of our college crowd to be gone, but that does not mean there will not be people drinking and having a good time," Parker said.
All in all, whether it is a few days early or on Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day will be well-celebrated on The Plains.
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