The town of Hanover is calling upon extra backup, baking extra baguettes and setting additional tables, all in preparation for Dartmouth's 2008 Homecoming. But despite the strain an influx of visitors puts on the town, the tradition of the weekend still excites most residents.
Hanover Police Chief Nicholas Giaccone is approaching this year's Homecoming celebration the same way he has the previous 14 during his tenure as chief of police.
"[The police presence at Homecoming] is so automatic; like it's on remote control," Giaccone said. "We already know what needs to be done, and we are ready to do it."
Giaccone's department, consisting of 15 full-time patrol officers, faces the difficulty of having a limited police force tasked to cover an event attended by thousands of students and alumni, he said.
According to Giaccone, Hanover's police force recruits officers from other districts weeks in advance to assist them with the event.
"I am not sure how officers personally feel about Homecoming, but the officers do get outside detail rate, so they are paid more per hour than on normal patrol," Giaccone said. "It is definitely an economically driven thing for them."
The Hanover Fire Department will also be present during the bonfire run in addition to the approximately 30 local police officers.
"[Our bonfire coverage] is going to be pretty standard, as long as the students behave themselves and follow all the rules, like not trying to touch the fire," Fire Chief Roger Bradley said. "We expect business as usual."
Giaccone said a typical Dartmouth Homecoming involves the arrest of several intoxicated students and alumni by Hanover Police. The police department averages between 10 and 12 arrests every Homecoming, he added, mostly for possession of alcohol, disorderly conduct and occasionally for assault -- usually perpetrated against police officers.
"I personally was completely bowled over by some freshman running around the fire last year," Giaccone said.
The Hanover Police force also faces challenges from erratic weather conditions, he said. The temperature outside of the fire ring can be hovering around freezing, but inside the ring it is always extremely warm, requiring police to be on alert for signs of heat-related maladies, Giaccone added.
"We had snow at one bonfire night, where we arrested a streaker," Giaccone said. "We hadn't planned for snow, so our seating arrangement for people we arrested that night was outside on cold metal chairs. Until we took him to the station, the young man was uncomfortable to say the least."
As the police and fire departments patrol Hanover in full force to ensure a safe event, local businesses are also preparing for the flood of alumni and visitors during the first big weekend of the 2008 academic year.
Dirt Cowboy coffee shop owner Tom Guerra anticipates a surge in business this weekend. The cafe plans on increasing its staff by 20 percent for the weekend, when crowds of alumni will arrive on campus for Homecoming.
"With the football game [last] weekend and Homecoming [this] weekend, we are extremely busy," he said.
Bus loads of "leafers" have also been flooding the town to see the turning of the autumn leaves and are expected to contribute to Hanover's busiest weekend.
"We are really going to have to step up and increase our baguette and croissant production, as well as everything else on our menu [for the upcoming weekend]," Guerra said.
For Brian Smith, manager of International DVD and Poster, and several other retailers, it is often difficult to make profits during the College's big weekend.
"Homecoming is a mixed blessing for us," Smith said. "The regulars usually stay away and the tourists and alumni will, depending on the economy, be nice to us or not."
Smith cites the lack of parking availability during Homecoming as one of the major obstacles for local businesses.
"During home football games and Homecoming parking is impossible, so most residents stay away," he said.
John Chapin, owner of the Canoe Club, said that there is a noticeable spike in his business during Homecoming festivities.
"We have lots of alumni and their friends gathering here," Chapin said. "[Last Friday] we had a Tuck reunion that really packed on business. Homecoming really helps us keep seats full."
While Homecoming's effect on their businesses may differ, Smith and Chapin agreed that the tradition makes the weekend special.
"As a tradition, Homecoming is an event unique among college campuses and is always enjoyable," Smith said.
Chapin echoed Smith, saying that the spirit of Homecoming makes the weekend special for him and other Hanover residents.
"Independent of business, it is a fun time to be in Hanover," he said. "I love seeing people on the sidewalk. There is an extra vitality in the air that just makes retail and business better."
Smith's father and grandfather both attended the College, so he has been involved in Homecoming since he was a child. He has noticed that residents of Hanover seem less interested this year, though.
"Most locals are not around for Homecoming unless they have young kids, are business owners or are affiliated with the College," Smith said. "I have noticed that in the last few years, there have been less local spectators on the street outside the shops for Freshman Sweep and less young kids at the bonfire run. It is still great to see the enthusiasm of the students."
