In addition to traditions such as the bonfire ceremony and rushing the field during the football game, many students are looking forward to Greek-sponsored events over Homecoming weekend. Ranging from pig roasts to dance parties, these events have become an integral part of the weekend's atmosphere.
On Wednesday, Kappa Delta Epsilon sorority kicked off Homecoming with "Tackies," a campus-wide party which happens every term, KDE member Julia Danford '13 said.
"It's a flair party so everyone comes dressed in tackies or flair," Danford said. "There's a DJ and a big dance party, just lots of hanging out."
On Thursday, Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity hosted "Pop Punk," their annual dance party featuring music from students' middle school days, according to Sig Ep social chair Charlie Laud '14. Laud said that DJ Fierce Brosnan spun at the event.
The party is usually well attended, especially by large groups of friends, Laud said. He described the song selection as catchy and well-known.
"It's less of a bump-and-grind dance party and more of a rocking-out-to songs-you-love kind of dance party," Laud said. "There's less of an emphasis on person-to-person dancing and more of an emphasis on showing up with a ton of friends and going nuts."
Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity hosted its traditional champagne party on Thursday evening, according to SAE social chair Cole Adams '13.
On Friday night, Chi Heorot fraternity plans to host their annual toga-themed "Octogafest" party, according to Heorot president Cole Sulser '12.
"We'll have a DJ downstairs in the basement, and we are considering having a DJ on the first floor, or speakers and a playlist on the first floor, in case the basement gets too crowded," Sulser said.
Friday evening will also feature Amarna undergraduate society's termly "Wine and Cheese" event, where they cover "every surface of their house" with different types of cheese and serve wine, Amarna president Christine Garcia '13 said.
"It's just meant to be a very chill, classy event," Garcia said. "It's not meant to be a huge ragey party it's a place to have a conversation, drink really great wine and eat really great cheese."
On Saturday evening Sigma Nu fraternity will host a "'90s themed" dance party where attendees are encouraged to dress in '90s flair," according to Sig Nu president Cole Haskins '13. Sig Nu has traditionally hosted an '80s-themed dance party but feels a '90s theme is more relevant, Haskins said.
"We're trying to play the hits from when most of us were growing up," Haskins said.
Theta Delta Chi fraternity plans to host a pig roast during the football game on Saturday, Theta Delt president J.P. Garry '13 said in an email to The Dartmouth.
Representatives from all of the organizations planning events said that parties have been well attended in the past. Many students said they plan on attending Greek parties but are unaware of specific events that will take place.
"I don't really know what goes on yet, but I was planning on going to Greek events after the bonfire," Tim Gorman '16 said.
Gorman also said he thinks events will be more crowded than on a typical weekend, especially with alumni returning to campus.
"As far as I know, big weekends get a lot more crowded, a lot more rowdy," Gorman said. "But that's just my understanding of it."
Julia Bratic '15 said that there are usually more events sponsored by Greek organizations during Homecoming than during a normal weekend.
"There are definitely more opportunities and more open parties compared to most weekends, when there are only one or two big parties," Bratic said. "There's a lot more and more per day than there would be on a normal weekend."
Matt Ritter '15, a member of Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity, said he plans on attending Greek parties, but that being newly affiliated will affect which parties he participates in.
"I think I'll probably know about almost all the events, whereas last year I had no idea what was going on," Ritter said. "But I also think that while I'll know about more events, I'll probably spend most of my time in my own house."
Katie Hake '16 said she has heard about the bonfire and football game during Homecoming but does not know what to expect at Greek parties during the weekend.
"Maybe they'll be more catered toward '16s," Hake said. "I think there will definitely be more people and there will be families and alumni all over campus, so that will probably be a different dynamic."
Representatives from Sigma Delta sorority said they will not host any special events for Homecoming.
Representatives from Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity, Alpha Delta fraternity, Alpha Theta coed fraternity, Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, Bones Gate fraternity, Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity, Epsilon Kappa Theta sorority, Gamma Delta Chi fraternity, Kappa Kappa Kappa fraternity, Phi Delta Alpha fraternity, Phi Tau coed fraternity, Psi Upsilon fraternity, The Tabard coed fraternity and Zeta Psi fraternity could not be reached by press time.