Crazy times, outdoor fun and socializing while enjoying the warm weather are the mainstays for this weekend. The Alpha Delta lawn party is not only considered by some to be the main Green Key event -- it also epitomizes the atmosphere of the weekend.
The party will take place tomorrow from 1 to 6 p.m. and will feature the New Jersey funk band Jones.
"It is the culminating party of the weekend," AD President Aaron Gillespie '04 said. "With the nice weather, it provides a chance for people to come listen to sweet music, hang out, and enjoy themselves."
Earlier this week, the fraternity was in the process of procuring a special exception to the college's ban on alcohol outdoors. The college granted an exception for last year's party, and Gillespie said he expected no problem getting one this year.
Gillespie stressed, however, that no alcohol other than the beer served by AD will not be permitted.
In past years, party-goers have witnessed a three-story beer funnel and impromptu mud-wrestling.
Despite the rambunctious atmosphere, the party has never been shut down early by Safety and Security or the Hanover police. Gillespie said the fraternity has taken steps to ensure that the party remains viable and safe.
"We're setting up a fence to make it easier to keep the party under control," he said.
The fence may also prevent the fraternity from receiving misplaced blame. AD has been held responsible at past parties for the behavior of non-brothers. The house was written up by Safety and Security because a group of Chi Heorot alumni taped a student to a chair near AD during the lawn party in 2001.
AD Social Chair Justin Silverman '04 said that the party offers something for everyone.
"There are people milling around with friends, others sitting in the back listening to the band, and then of course the people up close dancing," Silverman said.
In 2002, cloudy skies and rain appeared on the day of the event, but rain or shine, the party will go on, Gillespie said. In the event of inclement weather, the band will be moved inside. Gillespie expects the party to be a success even if it does rain.
"Last year, despite the rain, it was still packed, and there was even spillover of people outside," he said.
The band Brown, which performed at the party last year, was originally supposed to have played at this year's event. The band had to cancel because a member was seriously injured in a car accident last week.
A band consisting of Dartmouth students Chris O'Connell '04, Julian Kelly '04, Mike Lovett '03, Fred Carleton '04, Dylan Miller-Evans '03, and Tim Faller '03 will open with a set from 1 to 2 p.m., and then Jones will play from 2 to 6 p.m.
Silverman cited the music as being a main draw of the party.
"Our lawn is almost transformed into an outdoor concert venue," he said.
Bands in the past have included Anthrax in 1982 and Blue's Traveler in 1988. More recently, the Rustic Overtones -- now called Paranoid Social Club -- and Downtime have played.
Gillespie attributed the party's popularity to its atmosphere.
"There is nothing like having everyone chill outside listening to music. The atmosphere of the lawn party is so much better than a typical frat party."
