Soon-to-be Cal Poly graduates pack downtown bars with family, friends

Bars in downtown San Luis Obispo opened at 6 a.m. Saturday, expecting the annual influx of soon-to-be Cal Poly graduates, family and supporters drinking before the scheduled commencement ceremonies.

Over 100 people were lined up at different bars and pubs in the wee hours of the morning, including The Mark Bar & Grill, Frog & Peach Pub and Buffalo Pub and Grill.

In line, family of graduate Shane Williams said they came from New York and Kansas City to watch him walk the stage and receive an electrical engineering degree. But first, they were going to grab a drink at the Frog & Peach Pub.

“I’ll sit through this line rather than sit through graduation,” Alexis Williams joked to The Tribune. “We’re super excited to celebrate him.”

Many families and supporters arrived in pairs, standing in long lines while the rest of their groups caught up.

Cal Poly alumna Shannon Day waited for her daughter Summer while in line for Buffalo Pub and Grill.

“I was definitely not into getting up this early, but I’m happy that we’re here to do it since we live pretty locally,” Day told The Tribune. “I love that she wanted us to join her for this, so we’re excited.”

From the line at the Frog & Peach, Cal Poly biomedical engineering graduate Angela Biezins and kinesiology graduate Madeline Caulkins said it was bittersweet to show their families the downtown area and have them watch them walk the stage over the weekend.

“It makes me emotional too, it’s been a really great four years and I’m just happy to be able to share it with people that are special to me,” Caulkins told The Tribune. “It’s a balance of being excited to move on and moving in the next stages of life, but then also really sad to leave here and leave all my friends.”