By The Associated Press

Published: Monday, February 27, 2012

STATE COLLEGE — Police say student-led efforts to curb drinking at Penn State's unofficial St. Patrick's Day celebration cut the number of drinking-related incidents during the weekend bash by nearly 100 from last year.

State College and university police say they made 296 arrests this year during "State Patty's Day", down from 341 last year. University police say 40 of their arrests were of out-of-town visitors.

The beer-soaked annual event started in 2007 as a way for students to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. But student organizations including fraternities and sororities banned parties on Saturday.

Penn State student organizers also offered would-be revelers alternative activities, such as volunteering at a food bank or community shelter.

The Centre Daily Times reported that about 100 student showed up Sunday morning for a volunteer cleanup event.

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