While some Hanover residents' awareness of Dartmouth's Homecoming festivities extends only to increased crowds and traffic, some individuals interviewed by The Dartmouth said they welcome the celebratory nature of the weekend.
The excitement surrounding the big weekend on the College's campus extends into the town and creates a celebratory atmosphere, according to several Hanover residents.
"I find [Homecoming weekend] very festive and fun," Hanover resident Allyson Hutton said. "You can sense the excitement in the air."
Several local residents said that they look forward to Dartmouth Homecoming events, even if they are not directly part of the Dartmouth community. Several Hanover residents said that they particularly look forward to the bonfire on Dartmouth Night.
"The bonfire is a must-see event," Jack Seabrook, who lives in Hanover, said. "It's really a throwback activity."
Seabrook called the bonfire the "signature event of the fall."
"As a town resident, I love the tradition inherent in the bonfire and I love seeing the class parade," he said.
Hanover residents who attend the bonfire each year range from young children to grandparents who have lived in Hanover their entire lives.
"We typically go to the bonfire with the kids," Hutton said.
Although many expressed excitement for the Homecoming weekend, other locals said that they do not particularly notice the effects of Homecoming on the town, and do not alter their plans because of the big weekend.
"It's nice to have more people in town, but I'm not otherwise aware of [Homecoming events]," Hanover resident Cynthia Thompson said.
Those who live in Hanover generally agreed that the influx of visitors to the College for Homecoming weekend does not inconvenience them.
"The downside [of Homecoming] I see, not as a community member, but from the perspective of Dick's House students endangering themselves," Hanover resident and College Health Service physician Ann Bracken said.
Bracken added that, as a community member, she has always enjoyed the weekend, despite the potentially self-destructive behavior of students.
Of the Hanover residents interviewed by The Dartmouth, none complained about student boisterousness, and many cited the atmosphere of a college town as a reason for choosing Hanover.
"I like rowdy students," resident Mike Lake said.
Fellow resident Jack Tarlin added that people who elect to live in a college town should expect to experience college traditions.
"For traditions such as Homecoming weekend and the bonfire, if one doesn't wish to experience it, stay home," he said.
The generally positive interactions with Dartmouth students throughout the year seem to carry over to big weekends, several residents said.
Other locals added that the advantages of Homecoming traditions outweigh any negatives.
"[Student rowdiness] is part of the deal," Joey Waxman, a Hanover resident, said. "I wouldn't want [students] not to have Homecoming."
Several locals did express concern regarding the potential escalation of student antics.
"Everything is positive," Sue Pitiger of Norwich said. "Just don't run around naked."
