This year’s April 6th Day may be more like a kids’ birthday party than the alcohol-fuelled bashes of the past.
The annual all-day party will feature bingo, video games and an evening barbecue, a toned-down celebration that happens to fall on Good Friday.
“We’re trying to get people to see Harrington the way we see it,” said house president Caitlin Doiron, who has done a lot of the planning for Friday.
“People get really drunk when nothing’s happening, so we have lots of activities planned.”
The annual Harrington Hall celebration started 24 years ago after some residents missed a concert and drank all day.
The party became a tradition, but has been under scrutiny by administration in recent years, promising punishment to students who go to class drunk, disallowing house committee to buy alcohol for residents.
This year’s celebration comes only three months after an alcohol ban was lifted from the residence.
But having lots of activities planned doesn’t mean that people won’t drink at all.
No one from Harrington would confirm rumours that most people are still planning to drink.
“Now more than ever we need to stress that this is Harrington’s holiday and not about drinking. It’s about celebrating and being proud, like Canada Day,” Doiron said.
Harrington alumnus Kelly Lamrock, who is running for the provincial Liberal leadership, is expected to return and give talks to the house about why they are proud to have been Raiders and what April 6th Day means to them.
“It’s a place to live, love, be yourself and make friends,” said Doiron.
For some, April 6 won’t be about Harrington, because it coincides with Good Friday, the most important – and most solemn – celebration of the year for Christians.
Doiron plans for a laid back afternoon.
“We are a Catholic university and there is a Mass at 3 p.m., so we’re going to watch quiet movies in the lounge from 2 to 5 p.m. and turn the music down.”
Residence advisors will be on duty throughout the day to supervise the events.
Residence manager Kelly Hogg said there hasn’t been a lot of concern from faculty this year about the celebration since there aren’t any classes that day.
“We know its a really big event and like seeing that they have that much pride in their day.”
Even if the celebration will be different from past years, some Harrington residents, like Katrina Jordan, are still looking forward to Friday.
“It’s a lot of fun, a day you’re not going to forget.”
