This is Matt
Text 1: “Little 500 Interviews”
Collection Location: Day party at Smith and Grant
Date Collected: April 11th, 2008
Informant: Josh Pardue. Age 22. IU senior
Title: Little 500 Interview
Date: April 11th, 2008.
What did you know of Little 500 before coming to IU?
–I just knew it was a big party week and that there was some sort of bike race.
How many days a week do you usually party the week before the race?
–I would say that I party almost five days of the week during Little 500. This year might be more like seven because it is my senior year.
Do you go to the race?
–Nope, never have.
What sort of festivities do you take place in the day of the race?
–This year we have just pretty much been drinking in the front yard, playing beer pong and flippy cup and all that kind of stuff. Last year we played slosh ball at friends’. It is basically drunken waffle ball. There is a keg at second base, a slippy slide from third to home, and a baby pool for the home plate. It might be a little cold for that this year.
Do you skip classes the week of Little 500?
–Every year I always say I am not going to, but I of course do. Usually only about 3 or 4 class though. It is tough to make it to class when all anyone wants to do is party.
Is this your favorite week to be an IU student?
–I would say so. I was hoping there would be a great week of IU basketball that would out-trump Little 500 this year. But that was of course a debauchery.
Do you worry about police during the week?
–I certainly did before I turned 21, but now I love the cops. I do not drink and drive and I’m not an idiot, so the cops and I get along just fine.
TEXT #2: Little 500 Interview
Informant: Alyson. Age 19. IU freshmen.
Date: April 11th, 2008.
What did you know of Little 500 before coming to IU?
–I just knew it was a big party weekend. Both my older sister and brother went to school here so I heard a lot of stories from them. I have been looking forward to it all year.
How many days a week do you usually party the week before the race?
–Well this is my first little five, but so far I have partied Tuesday, Thursday, and now Friday night.
Do you go to the race?
–I don’t think I will go. I have three more years to make one.
What sort of festivities do you take place in the day of the race?
–Tomorrow I am supposed to be going to a kegs and eggs party. Basically we go really early, cook breakfast, drink mimosas, and then have a kegger. Should be pretty fun.
Do you skip classes the week of Little 500?
–I skipped a few today and a few yesterday, but that is it.
Do you worry about police during the week?
–Definitely. The party we went to last night the cops came and we hid in a bathroom, but they never actually came inside. I have been told all week to watch my back and be careful, but it has not been too scary yet.
TEXT # 3: Little 500 Interview
Informant: Jeff Heidelberger. Age 21. IU Junior
Date: April 11th, 2008.
What did you know of Little 500 before coming to IU?
–My brother went here so I came down my senior year of high school the day of the race. It was pretty nuts and got me very excited to come here as a freshmen.
How many days a week do you usually party the week before the race?
–This week I have partied Monday up till today (Friday). Pretty much been doing that all three years I believe. Might have missed a day or two.
Do you go to the race?
–My freshmen year I went to the race. It was pretty cool, but I think going once was enough for me.
What sort of festivities do you take place in the day of the race?
–Pretty much just try and get outside to play beer pong or corn hole. Last year we did a keg race. There were two teams, each assigned to a keg. The first team that finished their keg won. It was fun because everyone was very competitive.
Do you skip classes the week of Little 500?
–Of course, I think I have been to less than half of them this week. Just the ones where stuff was due did I actually go.
Do you worry about police during the week?
–Definitely before I turned 21 I did. We would always have to hide indoors and make sure we kept everything in cups. This year we are toasting the cops as they drive by. Sure is nice to be 21.
Discussion:
Little 500 is a time to relax, kick back, and not worry about school for a week. The “greatest college weekend” should actually be known as the “greatest college week”. This is because partying is not limited to just the day of the race. Instead, it is a spring break like celebration that can be seen on few colleges across this great land. From the answers I received from my first question it is obvious that the reputation of Little 500 precedes itself. Everyone I interviewed had heard stories about the event before they even arrived on campus. This just adds to the lore of this event for the student body. Just like basketball games and tail-gaiting, Little 500 is a famous IU event. I believe the fact that all three students said they skipped class shows what this week is all about for the student body. It is a time to try and forget about all of our upcoming finals, papers, and projects looming in the distance. It is a week to get that party bug out of our systems before we have to bunker down for that last push of the semester. Another interesting aspect to take away from these interviews is all of the mini-events students plan to go to along with the race-day festivities: slosh ball, kegs and eggs, and keg races. Students love to find creative ways to have fun while drinking. Just sitting around drinking beer everyday is no fun; we like to make things interesting. It is not all about watching the race. None of these students plan on seeing it this year, because a majority of the student body could care less. While there are worries about the police from underclassmen, it is evident that this week is simply a time to be young, free, and a little stupid.