The Dartmouth Night bonfire will once again light up the Green to kick off Homecoming, and the flames on Oct. 2 are sure to be a welcome sight.
Last year, a statewide burn ban because of extreme drought conditions meant the bonfire was replaced by a high-energy light and laser show with student DJs.
"I'm super excited that the '30s are able to participate in an annual tradition that many of us have been looking forward to even before arriving at Dartmouth," says Vanna Lei '30, one of the bonfire chairs.
Fellow Bonfire Chair Ethan Smith '30 is thankful the bonfire is back.
"Having the opportunity to be part of such a time-honored event, and actually have a role in pulling it off, is very exciting," Smith says. "And, although I'm sure the light show was fantastic, there's nothing quite like a good, high-burning fire."
The bonfire itself has changed over the decades, including a redesign in 2018 led by Douglas Van Citters '99, Thayer '03, '06, now dean of the Thayer School of Engineering, to make the structure safer.
Thayer PhD student Grant Summermatter, Thayer '23, '24, who is supervising the build this year, is working with departments across campus and teaching student volunteers about safety protocols and construction practices. His father, Paul, was in the Class of 1992, and Summermatter went to Homecoming bonfires growing up, and later as an engineering student at Thayer.
The build is going to be "a learning experience for me but a great opportunity to improve the build process," says Summermatter, who hopes to involve as many first-year students as possible. "There are so many people and processes going on behind the scenes to make this event happen, and having the privilege to be a part of that has been interesting."
The Homecoming parade will start lining up at 7:15 p.m. on Wheelock Street and wend its way to the Green. The Class of 2030 will be "swept" from spirit stations around campus, and the ceremonies start at 8 p.m. in front of Dartmouth Hall, followed by the bonfire at 8:30 p.m.
Also planned for Friday are a daylong open house at the Center for Career Design in McNutt Hall; a workshop, Navigating College Admissions, at 2 p.m. in 006 Steele Hall (registration required); an open house from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Institute for Black Intellectual and Cultural Life, Haldeman 246; a Collis Porch Concert; and a 2030 Class Council Bonfire Karaoke and Smores.
Saturday's lineup features the dedication of the Buddy Teevens Tribute Plaque at 9:30 a.m. at the Crosby Street entrance of Buddy Teevens Stadium at Memorial Field, followed by a panel discussion with members of the Founders Circle for the Kirsten and Eugene F. "Buddy" Teevens '79 Center for Peak Performance. And Assistant Professor of Engineering Bijan Mazaheri will give a talk about computation in the age of AI at 10:30 a.m. in Gilman Auditorium.
On Sunday, Dartmouth community members are invited to take part in Peak Bag, a free annual event that aims to build community and raise awareness of mental health issues. That will be followed by a community picnic for local participants from 4 to 6 p.m. on Baker Lawn. And registration is open for a contemplative retreat for alumni that morning in Pine Park.
Among the other weekend happenings: tours of Baker Bell Tower, alumni gatherings, and plenty of other chances to cheer on Big Green athletics teams competing at home. In addition to women's sailing and men's and women's rowing events, the lineup includes:
Friday Oct. 2
- 3 p.m.: Field hockey vs. UC Davis, Chase Field
Saturday Oct. 3
- 1:30 p.m.: Football vs. Penn, Teevens Stadium at Memorial Field
- 4 p.m.: Women's rugby vs. American International College, Brophy Field
Bonfire Chair Dhruv Gupta '30 says he can't wait to see the "showcase of Dartmouth spirit" he has been hearing about.
"From the football game to having alumni back on campus, culminating with the bonfire, I'm so excited to explore all the unique traditions and quirks the Dartmouth community has for the first time as a student," Gupta says.