In the weeks ahead, students at the University of Missouri-Rolla will bash imaginary snakes with big sticks called shillelaghs, dye food and beverages green, grow long beards, select honorary knights and elect a queen of love and beauty.

The festivities culminate with a parade through downtown Rolla on the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day. This year’s parade is scheduled for March 19.

UMR has a long tradition of celebrating St. Pat’s. Near the beginning of the 20th Century, a group of Rolla students declared St. Patrick the patron saint of engineers.

The schedule for St. Pat’s 2005 is as follows:

March 7-9: Snake Invasion Monday through Wednesday on campus.

Monday, March 14: noon-1 p.m., St. Pat’s Follies to be held on the mall north of the University Center-West on campus.

Tuesday, March 15: noon-1 p.m., St. Pat’s Follies to be held on the mall north of the University Center-West on campus.

Wednesday, March 16: noon-1:30 p.m., St. Pat, portrayed by a UMR student, and his court, ceremoniously garbed in green and gold, will arrive in Rolla near the railroad tracks on Eighth Street; Follies will follow St. Pat’s arrival at the pavilion on the corner of Eighth and Oak streets in downtown Rolla; 7 p.m., Casino Night in UMR’s Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building, 10th Street and Bishop Avenue in Rolla.

Thursday, March 17: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Gonzo games on the Fraternity Row Field.

Friday, March 18: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., more St. Pat’s games on the Fraternity Row Field; 9 p.m., Coronation Ceremonies in Leach Theatre of UMR’s Castleman Hall.

Saturday, March 19: 11 a.m.-noon, Parade on Pine Street in Rolla, followed by the Carnival of Knights, noon-3 p.m., in the parking lot of the Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building. The Carnival of Knights features music, a chili cook-off and games. At 2 p.m., the UMR Solar Car team will unveil latest vehicle, Solar Miner V, in the foyer of the Havener Center.