A Very Merry Un-Dillo Day to Some Northwestern Students

BY STACEY HARMS

It's the largest event at Northwestern, but not every student chooses to participate. Dillo Day draws between 10,000 and 15,000 students each year from universities nation-wide.

But many NU students said they have been disillusioned by the poor weather the past few years and chose not to participate in the May 24 festivities this year.

"I'm away from campus this quarter, but I could have easily come back for the weekend," Medill Senior Ben Harper said. "I chose not to because the last two years just weren't fun. It rained all day and everyone kept to themselves."

Bands were cancelled in 2001 because of the rain, and last year they were moved to Patten Gymnasium where only close to a thousand could listen compared to the seven or eight thousand that can listen in nice weather on the lakefill.

Co-chairwoman of Mayfest, the sponsoring organization, Stephanie Rich said the weather plays a big role in the success of getting people out for Dillo Day.

"Weather plays a huge role," Rich said. "But so does other stuff like bands and security."

Since weather has inhibited students from hearing bands two years in a row, some said they found better things to do this year.

"The Indianapolis 500 is one of the largest and most fun events in the world," said Doug Meffley, a Medill junior. "It was guaranteed fun, and Dillo Day was not. I got to root for my hometown boy Sam Hornish, Jr."

Some students were even in Evanston during Dillo Day, but avoided the festivities anyway.

"I didn't have fun at the last two Dillo Days, so this year I just hung out at my apartment with my boyfriend," Carolyn Siegel, a Communications junior said. "It was just like any other day for me this year, nothing special."

Other students didn't participate in Dillo Day because they never had.

"Last year my parents were visiting so I didn't do anything for Dillo Day," said Speech sophomore Chris Ostertag. "This year I went to visit my girlfriend. I like her a lot better than drinking."

Ostertag said he had seen Crystal Method in concert prior to Dillo Day, so he didn't feel a need to stay in town to see them perform. But he said he does feel like he missed out.

"I'm sort of sad that I missed it," Ostertag said. "I heard the concerts were great. I'll go next year for sure.