Iowa State University


Inside Iowa State
April 18, 1996

Veishea marks state sesquicentennial


Annual celebration features activities for all ages

by Steve Sullivan
Veishea, Iowa State's annual student-organized festival, will help celebrate Iowa's 150th birthday.

The theme for this year's Veishea, April 19-21, is "Continuing Iowa's Heritage."

Opening ceremonies and the lighting of the Veishea torch will begin at noon Friday. Thomas Hargrove, an ISU alumnus who was held hostage for 11 months by Marxist guerrillas in Columbia, will speak at opening ceremonies. His ordeal is described in his new book, Long March to Freedom: Tom Hargrove's Own Story of His Kidnapping by Columbian Narco- Guerrillas.

Hargrove also will be the Veishea parade grand marshal. The parade will begin at noon Saturday and feature more than 80 units, including floats, giant balloons and area high school marching bands.

Academic departments, student clubs and other campus organizations will show off their skills and accomplishments at more than 200 open houses across campus on Friday and Saturday.

A Taste of Veishea on Welch Avenue in campustown, will feature a variety of food booths and entertainment throughout the weekend.

The sesquicentennial celebration will feature "The 150th Year Boulevard," where 30 Iowa counties will showcase their plans to celebrate the state's birthday. The boulevard will be north of Lake LaVerne from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Former Gov. Robert D. Ray, chairman of the Iowa Sesquicentennial Commission, and Ray A. Young Bear, Native American writer and lecturer, will speak at Veishea's sesquicentennial celebration at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The ceremony will conclude with songs and dancing by Meskwaki on Stage. Young Bear also is the Veishea parade marshal.

Other highlights of this year's Veishea celebration include the following.

  • Comedian Rondell Sheridan, who starred in the NBC sitcom Minor Adjustments, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Memorial Union Great Hall. The show is free.

  • International student groups will have food, information and entertainment booths at Veishea's Cultural Festival on central campus from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

  • Cy's Big Top will feature a variety of activities for children, including a petting zoo and face painting. Cy's Big Top will be south of the Parks Library from noon to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

  • Rock Da Rec will be in the Leid Recreation Athletic Center from 7 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday. Rock Da Rec will feature dancing, a hypnotist, the ISU drum line and games.

  • A pancake breakfast will be south of the campanile from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday. Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and children under 12.

  • Music Fest, which will feature alternative college bands, will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Clyde Williams Field (old football field).

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