Weekend revelers can get ready for an ocean of fun as Green Key Weekend goes island style this year with the return of the reggae band Lambsbread and Delta Gamma sorority's Anchors Aweigh fundraiser.
The weekend even got off to a watery start as a brief, but pounding rainstorm drenched the campus on Thursday afternoon at the start of the second annual Block Party on Webster Avenue.
The skies cleared up in time for the party, however, and the tropically-themed Green Key Weekend had an auspicious beginning.
Jaime Kleinman '00, the Green Key chair for the Programming Board, said the island theme grew out of the idea of having a reggae band.
"We thought that a reggae band would get people in a partying spirit," Kleinman said.
Lambsbread has performed at the College before, Kleinman said. The group from Burlington, Vt., which played at the "Tribute to Bob Marley" Green Key Weekend in 1995, will be playing from noon to 4 p.m. on the Green on Saturday.
In addition to the band, Kleinman said students can enjoy a moonwalk, pedestal jousting and a basketball game called Double Shot.
Some of the other activities include tie-dying, face painting and tattoo booths on the Green.
The 1999 and 2000 Class Councils are sponsoring a tug-of-war contest on the Green at 2 p.m.
The dance group Sheba will perform at 1 p.m. while Lambsbread takes a break.
The Programming Board's activities will be on the Green from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, or at the same time on Sunday if it rains on Saturday.
This is the fourth year in which Green Key Weekend has had a theme. Last year's weekend centered around a Spring Fair theme, and 1994 was the "Helldorado" Green Key Weekend.
Anchors aweigh
DG's charity fund-raiser will occupy Tuck Mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow with activities ranging from a dry pong tournament to a dog show.
Anna Miller '99, DG's programming chair, said the events will raise money for Service for Sight, a charity that helps the blind and vision impaired.
The dry pong tournament will be open to anyone who wants to participate, Miller said.
Other activities include a raffle, potato sack races and a water balloon toss. Participants can charge activities to their Dash discretionary accounts.
At 2 p.m., the crowd can judge a dog show open to local dogs. Miller said they had a successful dog show two years ago, when Murphy, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity's dog, won the event.
Miller said the show -- sponsored by the Iams dog food company -- will separate competitors between normal dogs and puppies, "because the puppies are so cute."
The crowd will decide which dogs are the cutest or most entertaining. Miller said the dogs are allowed to do tricks as well, or, if the canines are too stubborn, their owners can do tricks in their place.
At 5 p.m., the day's festivities will end with an a cappella performance by three groups on the steps of Dartmouth Hall.
Jon Light '00, business manager for the Cords, said the concert will open with the Colbyettes from Colby College in Maine, followed by the Cords and will conclude with the Dodecaphonics.
Block party
The festivities of Green Key Weekend kicked off on Thursday with the second annual Green Key Block Party on Webster Avenue.
A heavy and intense thunderstorm soaked the campus at 4 p.m., but it was mercifully brief and the sun came out soon after, allowing the festivities to begin on Webster Avenue.
The road was blocked off and became a puddle-filled pedestrian mall from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. as Jim Jones & the Punch featuring Earl Bethel played outside Phi Delta Alpha fraternity.
Students enjoyed free food from the likes of Del Taco and Subway, as well as soda, flavor ice and traditional barbecue fare.
The Block Party was sponsored by the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council. Though the inaugural Block Party last year was hampered by foul weather, this year's event enjoyed a large turnout as students showed up for the free music and food.
