Veishea - Traditions

Traditions

Today, VEISHEA encompasses many of the same traditions and ideals embodied in the original 1922 celebration, as well as newer traditions focused on celebrating the Iowa State community. Some of these traditions include:

• VEISHEA Village – VEISHEA Saturday is host to open houses, a cultural festival, an international food fair, and carnival games for children (called Cy’s Big Top), all grouped under the banner of VEISHEA Village. Booths on campus include demonstrations of science and agriculture, refreshments, and entertainment. All together, over 80 departments, clubs, and student groups participate in VEISHEA .
• Stars Over VEISHEA – Originally a yearly student-written musical called the “Nite Show,” in 1930 the directors decided to transition to instead perform Broadway classics. The show was then moved outside to Clyde Willams field in 1939 and renamed Stars Over VEISHEA (or SOV). Recently, SOV became a joint production of VEISHEA and Iowa State Theatre, so the show is no longer produced and directed by students, but students still participate in all aspects of the show’s planning and performance.
• Parade – What began in 1922 as a parade of floats built by departmental clubs. has blossomed into one of the highlights of the VEISHEA celebration, with attendance estimates sometimes reaching as high as 75,000 people. The current manifestation of the parade includes balloons, student groups, marching bands, and dancers, as well as the traditional floats. The parade is led by the Grand Marshall, who is traditionally a distinguished guest.
• Swans – In 1935, the VEISHEA Central Committee donated a pair of swans to Lake LaVerne, the lake at the base of the Memorial Union. After a naming contest, they were christened Lancelot and Elaine. More than 70 years later, Sir Lancelot and Elaine (albeit different swans) continue to be a fixture on campus. For this reason, the swan is one of VEISHEA’s symbols, and is represented in the current VEISHEA logo.
• Cherry pies – A tradition older than VEISHEA itself, the Division of Home Economics began selling cherry pies as a fundraiser in 1919. Now sponsored by the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management, approximately 12,000 cherry pies are made and sold each year, with the money going to support departmental scholarships.