McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

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Food, games, rides, exhibits, dancing, music, and competition at Contraband Days are a few of the reasons to Indulge Yourself This year’s Contraband Days Fes- tival was the biggest and best Lake Charles has ever seen, with people from throughout the state and na- tion jamming the Civic Center grounds for two fun-filled weeks of activities. Kicking off the festivities was the annual Contraband Days parade which began with the landing of the pirate king, Jean LaFitte, and his party at the Civic Center. The pirate crew promptly captured the entire city, dunked a few people in the lake, and led the all-conquering pa- rade through the streets of down- town Lake Charles. A spectacular fireworks display by Merit Harbor Lights capped off the evening by flooding the Lake Charles area with burst of colored light and illuminating the boats on the lake. Landlubbers lined the lake- shore and boaters dropped anchor for ‘front row’’ seats as the explo- sions went off directly overhead. Other events of note were the crawfish race, a bathtub race, and a five-miler, which attracted hundreds Continued The Contraband Days Matt Armstrong Carnival, which includes rides and side- shows, is a popular attraction for McNeese students and local residents. Carnival go- ers enjoyed the fair for two weeks in May. (Photo by G. Edwards) é 55 oe b » ey coos hte oy Bee Pash 48 Student Life

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The decision to move the 1985 Spring Fling activities to the Burton Colesium shows that McNeese believes in a Break in Tradition Almost Anything Goes and the Rodeo’'s Spring Fling activities were held from April 25-27 at Burton Coli- seum. Along with the Intramurals Department and the McNeese Ro- deo Team, other student organiza- tions such as RSA, SGA, and SUB helped make the events possible. The activities began on Thursday evening, April 25, with an outstand- ing performance by the McNeese Rodeo Team. But there was much more to come. Festivities continued the next day with the ‘‘Almost Any- thing Goes” competitions, which in- cluded volleyball, crazy relays, a roommate game, push ball, simon says, and even lady mud-wrestling. The afternoon was completed with the presentation of the Greek Week awards and the performance of a local rock band. Later that evening the crowds were treated to another performance of the McNeese Ro- deo Team. Following the Rodeo, a dance featuring the band Uncle Re- mus entertained. Activities began again on Satur- day with a crawfish cook-off to de- termine the best crawfish chef in Lake Charles. The cook-off was fol- lowed by a crawfish boil; and as the afternoon continued, a battle of the bands was held along with the Matt Armstrong Shows. Later, during the evening, the McNeese Rodeo Team once again performed and took the top rankings for the team title in the short-go, bringing the Fling to an end.

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Assuming her du- ties as Miss McNeese LaBelle, Lake Charles junior Vickie Myers par- ticipates in the an- nual Contraband Days parade. (Photo by T. Mari- cle) The McNeese re- presentatives in the Lite Beer LA 99 Charity Tug-of-war gang up against their opponents in the Contraband Days contest. (Photo by G. Ed- wards)