St. Mary's College: It's Time to Gaelebrate!

update: 10:45 a.m. Friday, more details about parking shuttles.

Down past the loopy S-curve on St. Mary's Road in Moraga, you might watch out for some mongo traffic Saturday — let's call it Gaels Gone Wild.

"Gaelebration!" — the 150th birthday of St. Mary's College of California — is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. With the events including a free campus carnival with a seven-story-tall Ferris wheel, college officials expect 5,000 people to be having a good time on campus.

"That's generally the sort of crowd we get for our commencements," said Michael McAlpin, director of media relations for the college. "This is commencement sort of amped up."

With overflow parking, the college will be running shuttle buses to some easier parking places — Lafayette BART station, the Rheem Center in Moraga, the Moraga Commons Park and the lot next to 5A Rent-A-Space, 455 Moraga Road, Moraga. Disabled parking is available on campus.

The Moraga shuttles will run approximately every 15 minutes, and will stop at the intersection of Ascot Drive and Ascot Place, and on Moraga Road across from the 7-Eleven, McAlpin said. The BART shuttles will run approximately every 10 minutes stopping at the Northeast lot just north of Oak Hill Road on Deer Hill Road, Lafayette.

Some political leaders are expected:

• Congressman George Miller

• State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier

• Assemblymember Joan Buchanan

• Assemblymember Nancy Skinner

• Contra Costa County Board Supervisor Candace Andersen

• Moraga Vice Mayor Howard Harpham

From a St. Mary's news release:

Saint Mary's Gaelebration will include a campus carnival featuring children's rides and attractions – including a seven-story Ferris wheel – campus tours and interactive programs from various academic departments. Afternoon entertainment features performances by California acoustic soul band Alma Desnuda and the College’s music, theater and dance departments, along with athletic demonstrations, live bands and, of course, great food. Gourmet food trucks from Off the Grid will provide delicious offerings as Gaelebration fare.

It's sure to be a "Gaelorious" time!

The fun-filled day will also feature acknowledgements of the College’s 150th anniversary from visiting dignitaries and proclamations from federal, state and local civic leaders. Throughout the academic year, the College will present a host of free public events, forums and performances to honor Saint Mary's sesquicentennial.