The Hellenic deities seemed to be smiling down on Penn's campus as a bout of sunshine greeted the three-day "Fabulous Greek Weekend," which kicked off Friday afternoon with a powderpuff football game and a barbecue on the field at Locust and 40th streets.
The annual Greek Weekend festivities -- organized by the Bicultural InterGreek, InterFraternity and Panhellenic councils -- serve to celebrate Greek life and to bring together the umbrella organizations and the individual chapters.
A highlight of this year's program of events was the philanthropic carnival held Saturday afternoon on College Green for over 50 West Philadelphia elementary school students.
"In the past we've cleaned up the streets or painted schools, but [this year] we wanted to actually interact with the people in the community," Panhel Executive Vice President and College junior Stephanie Cohen said. "I thought it was a great change."
All the fraternities and sororities were divided into eight groups, each of which was responsible for activities ranging from puppet-making and face-painting to relay races and the provision of healthy snacks.
"The carnival was a great example of the members of our Greek community coming together for a great cause while at the same time fostering unity among us," IFC Executive Vice President and College junior Sean Levy said.
The festivities continued Saturday night as 1,500 to 2,000 students attended the Walnut Street block party, according to Levy.
Three dry parties were held at the houses of Alpha Phi, Sigma Delta Tau and Phi Sigma Kappa, while the four wet parties occurred at the houses of Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Nu and Alpha Tau Omega.
Members of Team Sober -- which Levy describes as "the key to the success of the party" -- were stationed at each of the houses to ensure that students' safety and enjoyment of the night would not be compromised. The approximately 75 members of Team Sober included the presidents of each of the fraternities and sororities on campus, in addition to the umbrella executive boards.
"The Walnut Street party was well attended and really allowed the Greek community to come together and have a good time while being socially responsible," Levy said. "There were no problems at all."
The weekend also included complimentary meals, with Friday evening's Shabbat Across Penn and the BIG-C potluck dinner.
"Restaurant Row" was another hotspot for Friday night. Copabanana, La Terrasse, Smokey Joe's, Blarney Stone and New Deck Tavern -- who were participating establishments -- offered food and drink specials to all students during certain hours.
The novel concept sought to "target the older members of the fraternities and sororities who might not be as involved in their chapters," Levy said. "Restaurant Row, hopefully, will continue in the future, as it provides a great opportunity for the Greek system and the various establishments around campus to interact."
As the sunny weekend wound down, members of the Greek system had the opportunity to show their more studious sides.
Optional Sunday study hours in Huntsman Hall demonstrated "the stress that the Greek system puts on academics," according to Levy.
Greek Weekend was widely perceived to be a success.
"All three umbrella organizations ... have worked in a marvelous collaborative effort to plan a great weekend of events for the entire fraternity/sorority system that exemplifies what the Greek system is about -- scholarship, community service, brother/sisterhood," Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said.
The Greek community is not content to rest on its laurels, though.
"We're hoping to translate the success of this weekend into an even better Greek Week in the fall," Levy said.
