The College canceled the annual Homecoming bonfire because of a statewide outdoor burn ban, according to an Oct. 3 email from interim dean of undergraduate student affairs Anne Hudak. Instead, the College will host a light and laser show with music performed by student DJs.
“By reimagining our tradition, we are respecting community safety and environmental responsibility while creating a new and unforgettable experience for this year’s Homecoming weekend,” Hudak wrote.
Over the past few months, a severe drought has covered large swaths of northern New England. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte issued the ban on Sept. 22, making open fires unlawful until conditions improve.
This is the first time the bonfire has been canceled since 2020, when the state banned public gatherings during the pandemic.
In an interview with The Dartmouth, Hudak said that while the news may be “disappointing,” she expects the opening night of Homecoming to “still be a celebration of class unity, pride, and creativity.”
“Personally, I’m excited to see our students’ talents and creativity at the center of the light and laser show,” Hudak said.
Dartmouth’s executive director of conferences and events EJ Kiefer said many popular Homecoming traditions will remain.
“We wanted as many of the elements of what’s in a traditional Homecoming weekend around the Green to be preserved,” Kiefer said.
State forest fire supervisor for the New Hampshire Forest Protection Bureau chief Steven Sherman said the burn ban followed “the driest summer ever recorded for the state.”
“It was not just the lack of rainfall that contributed to the increased wildfire risk, but also the very low relative humidity levels,” Sherman said. “Embers from a large fire such as Dartmouth’s could blow off the Green and land on a nearby lawn or wooded area and start a fire that could cause loss of property or injure someone.”
Some students expressed disappointment at the College’s decision. Gabe Umlas ’29 said he was “pretty devastated” when he heard the bonfire was canceled.
“I was really sad,” Umlas said. “I know it’s a really fun event that past years have done.”
Mackenzie Froedge ’29 said she had looked forward to experiencing a class-wide tradition, after many high school traditions were canceled due to COVID.
“I was excited to finally have a real tradition in college … when [the bonfire] was canceled, I thought, ‘oh, it’s happening all over again,’” Froedge said.
Sarah Hochman ’28, who experienced last year’s bonfire as a freshman, said she understood the environmental concerns but still found the change disappointing.
“It’s a memory I really treasure,” Hochman recalled. “It can be pretty disappointing, especially for the first-years, to know you’re not going to be able to share those experiences with other Dartmouth students and alumni.”
