Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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IW 1 ' rw, f' if, ,...ii.12.. A as-i is 'if it 1: ij 2:.' ,EI 1.-7 ,guilt 2, f Nj , it I 1 .H 12' 51,24 William E Vance A weekend for weekend found Theyear's Seco nd i students staying on campus to clown, compete and crown a ,. ,,Q,,,,q.- -1-4 -- 4 . . queen. Sunny skies in the afternoon and fireworks at dusk i ,ttwt complimented the festivities. Student antics centered X - .. -. C around 5,000 people, 200 complaints 5 A A .V and 700 watermelons ROWDS of people in jeans, sweats, shorts and special uni- forms converged on LaFol- lette Field, Saturday, September 19 for the Delta Tau Delta-Alpha Chi Omega Watermelon Bust Festival. The Beeman Bunnies hopped through the crowd before the games started beginn- ing a wave of spirit that other organiza- tions soon picked up on. A group of Delta Chi watermelons dressed in pink shirts, with sewed on seeds, and green surgical pants ran across the field and built a pyramid. The competition to find out who was number one started early. Under a sunny sky, spirit cheers were shouted from all corners of the field. Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity made an entrance with their black skull and crossbones flag. The Delta Delta Delta sorority walked onto the field encased in a huge cloth watermelon. Participants and spectators indulged in free watermelon while the red-shirted sponsors darted around getting the field ready. lt was the first big thing to happen on campus where you could meet people and see people you already knew, Ramona Reed, Wabash sophomore, said about the day, It was a great opportunity to blow off the pressures that built up during the week. 12 Watermelon Bust The actual competition of the day began with the head roll relay. Participants were down on all fours, pushing watermelons across the field with their heads. Some zig- zagged out of their lanes while others were left with intense headaches. Other games of the day included the watermelon relay in which participants ran across the field with a watermelon bet- ween their legs, watermelon eating without hands, greased watermelon toss relay and the watermelon throw where the melon was used like a shot put. The bust cathalon was a new event that finished off the day. lt combined several of the day's watermelon skills for the grand finale. Mike Morris and Darren Taylor of P.M. Magazine announced the games and pro- mpted several groups to join them at the stage for more cheering. Greek groups crowded around the microphone to shout the cheer that represented them. The queen candidates, who had been chosen by their organizations as represen- tatives, had participated in a week of ac- tivities. They modeled in a fashion show sponsored by the Ball Stores that was given Friday in the Tally Ho. The final ten queen candidates who had been announc- ed at the show Friday were on hand for the afternoon festivities and crowning. The afternoon sun disappeared as peo- ple hunted for jackets, sweaters and long pants to fight off the cool evening air. The powerful beams of the searchlights silhouetted the faces gathered for the con- cert. After the field had been narrowed down to ten by penny voting, judges interviewed the finalists. Brenda Lambright, represen- ting Alpha Omicron Pi, was crowned Bust Queen. Sheri Springer, Alpha Phi, and Donita Monson, Chi Omega, were first and second runners up. The queen can- didates had seats on stage to view the rest of the afternoon's events. The other winners of the day had com- peted in the fraternity, sorority, men's residence halls, women's residence halls and independent divisions. The winners were Theta Xi, Sigma Kappa, the Palmer Melon Busters, the Botsford Pencil Heads and Schmidt Hall. The Sig Eps captured the spirit award. Bust chairman Bob Wilson was happy with the day's activities. He commented, lt was a lot more organized this year. We had a 15 member steering committeeihat started plans last spring and continued through the summer. This year's turnout of 5000 people, Wilson also said, is the biggest turnout ever. The Stutz band started off the evening's entertainment as the crowd replaced the CONTINUED I .-Wfw, - ' ,., ,......,,,. ..... , .W . . '- A

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Busting looses., watermelon and Cokes iel's. Following the performance, brilliant fireworks captured the attention of the au- dience and several Muncie residents reported noises that sounded like huge atomic blastsn to the police. According to Wilson, the police receiv- ed over 200 phone calls about the noise and they searched outlying areas of Mun- cie before pinpointing the university where they showed up in time to interrupt the display and check permits. When the show continued, the small crowd that had climbed atop the Field Sports Building scampered for the cover of darkness as the fireworks lit up its viewing perch Students took advantage of the star-lit night. Friends, after a long summer in hometowns, renewed old relationships. Handshakes, sticky from the watermelon juice, were exchanged with old stories. wimam E vim CHEERS RING OUT from every corner of l.aFoIlette Field. Members of Lambda Chi Alpha let loose screams and shouts in celebration of win- ners and watermelons. AUTUMN SUN BRIGHTENS the Watermelon Bust queen, Brenda Lambright, Topeka, lnd. junior. Weather was favorable for the event and prompted many people to remain longer and view the other events. 14 Watermelon Bust - with beer and Jack Dan- Roadmaster, the main attraction of the evening, rocked the crowd as it enjoyed the cool evening. Members of Delta Tau Delta had to stand guard along the tem- porary fence to make sure everyone bought a ticket We didn't have any fun during the con- cert because of the people trying to jump the fence. We had to stand guard. In- dianapolis junior Bill Bray said. The brothers were rewarded for their ef- forts, which included unloading all 700 watermelons. Once the excitement for the day had slowed down, the fraternity had a watermelon daiquiri party just for the guys and the sorority that helped them. After a long day of pushing, pulling and throwing watermelons, the crowd began to thin. Last goodbyes and telephone numbers were exchanged as the crowd carried, kicked and lugged home the last of the watermelons. The second weekend of the year was complete.Cl by Beth Dotson William E Vance A SLICE OF MELON helps spice up her day as this onlooker tastes the succulent fruit. She seems to enjoy it even as it drips down her hands and arms.