On Saturday, April 30, Kenyon kicked off its annual Summer Send-Off. Activities began at 1:00 p.m. with a series of inflatable games and a foam maker. Music started on Peirce Lawn at 2:00 p.m., with performances by Josh K., Kero Kero Superstar, Marquis de Rad and Dead Band. Popcorn, snow cones and mocktails were available beside the outdoor stage.

“The foam machine was absolutely amazing!” said Kate Culliton ’08. “I chased the foam, and it was fun.”

The music continued in the evening at Gund Commons as The Cosmonauts, Fat Kid, Mangine Steamroller and Potato Famine performed. These bands were winners from the “Battle of the Bands” which the Social Board hosted a few weeks ago. Finally the featured band, Medeski, Martin and Wood, took the stage at 10:00 p.m.

“They sound more like a law firm than a band,” said Bob Proctor ’07 who attended the event on Saturday night, “But they’re pretty good!”

Tree Girolamo ’08 said, “I didn’t hear of them before they came here. But it was all right music, pretty mellow and something you could just sit and listen to.”

The stage for the evening’s music groups was placed indoors because of poor weather. According to an announcement from the Social Board, “The tour manager, sound and lights company and the production manager for Medeski, Martin and Wood all need to be on the same page in order for a concert to work. As we talked with them multiple times in the past several days, the weather and outdoor conditions became a huge factor. The stage, sound equipment and lights pull a lot of power and electricity, and, with a wet ground and mist most of the day today, they were unwilling to risk people getting harmed.” The Social Board chose Gund Commons as a last resort; both Rosse Hall and Ernst Center were reserved for other events.

Some students tried to counter the event’s traditional emphasis on alcohol. A rally was held Friday evening to promote responsible drinking.

“Send-Off is a great event that the College plans for the right reasons,” said Sarah Goldstein ’07. “For a lot of people, it’s a really great way to spend one last week relaxing before diving into exams. It gives people some social perspective when the going gets really tough…. On the other hand, I think that many, though not all, students overdo it. I’m not against drinking or partying, but to drink so much that you don’t remember anything about the day? I feel that’s a misuse of the College’s generosity.”

A few students had suggestions for next year’s Send-Off. “I think people need to come south earlier in the day,” said Jessica Freeman-Slade ’06. “Hopefully the bands will be south next year.”

“I think people’s expectations for Send-Off are so high, they forget to enjoy themselves,” said Sarah Goldstein ’07.