Hillary Case–Contributor

Reed Street parties are a staple Bishop’s experience. When I tell people I live on Reed, I always get sympathetic looks, or people say, “Wow, I could never do that.” On a Reed party day like St. Paddy’s, music will start blaring down the street by 2 p.m. Crowds dressed head-to-toe in themed outfits pour in. Within minutes, the entire road turns into one big party. 

Image courtesy of Hillary Case

When I first moved onto Reed Street nearly two years ago, I was nervous. I heard the horror stories, and I even saw them during my first year when I lived on campus. Huge crowds, houses and balconies filled with strangers, fires and things getting destroyed. As a clean freak, the thought of hundreds of muddy shoes tracking throughout my house was extremely unsettling. 

Yes, some of those stories are definitely true. Living on Reed during the street parties can get wild. One time, there was a fire so big that you could feel the heat of it from our balcony. We were without garbage cans for a while because they were burned in the fire. Last St. Paddy’s, someone had even thrown a snowball at our window, shattering it. 

But despite all of that, or maybe because of it, I’ve realized that I genuinely love living on Reed Street. 

Reed Street feels like a community. The street brings together hundreds of students in such a Bishop’s way. My favourite part is watching everyone from our balcony. It’s the best spot to feel the vibe of the street without being swallowed by the crowd. This weekend, I was thinking to myself, I feel way safer living on Reed during St. Paddy’s than being packed in the middle of everything all day with no bathroom, food or water. 

Honestly, even if I didn’t live on Reed, I’d definitely end up partying there anyway. Living there just makes the experience easier and more enjoyable. You’re part of the fun without having to worry about getting home or wandering around trying to find your friends. 

This year felt different. Before the party even started, the guys across the street, I assume from Dragon Society, moved all the garbage cans so they wouldn’t get destroyed as they had in the past. It was such a small thing, but it showed that people who live on Reed actually look out for each other. They even helped clean the street early in the morning the next day! 

What also surprised me is how respectful most people are. We often turn strangers away from coming inside our apartment. I was shocked to see that everyone is usually understanding. I think that comes from Bishop’s being such a small school, and people recognize that these houses are still someone’s home. 

This year, the St. Paddy’s party ended in the early evening. The street suddenly emptied out, the music faded, the crowds disappeared and Reed became quiet again. 

Living on Reed Street during St. Patrick’s Day isn’t always calm or predictable. It’s loud, messy and at times chaotic, but it’s also one of the most unique experiences you can have at

Bishop’s. Once you’ve lived there, you realize that you’re not just watching the tradition, you’re part of it.