We had what we believe to be the 59th annual Boar's Head Festival on Tuesday last, and it got me thinking about Boar's Heads past. My first was in 1982, and Chandra Narsipur and I were asked to assist Brad Mason, the director. Not much has changed since then. The two biggest changes are an infusion of more music and the "torches." There were no Riddlers to perform in those days, so Brad himself sang "O Holy Night" at one point. (Brad was a veteran of Broadway, and his rendition was quite beautiful.) As for the torches, several years ago we finally stopped tempting fate and replaced the torches with the big Refectory candles. The effect is not quite the same, but I don't miss the smoke or the potential for unmitigated disaster. (Bill Kron used to seek me out and shake my hand shortly after the last torch was extinguished...)
My own favorite Boar's Head memory is not from the pageant itself; it is of Seth Mendell recounting the Boar's Head Tale at morning meeting. Not many people can spin a yarn as Seth can, and his rendition was always one of the highlights of the year. Now, of course, I am able to enjoy that tradition from the other side, and each year I can't wait to hear "How dry was it?!"
If you have your own Boar's Head Memories, share them using the survey to the right. Boar's Head has a prominent place in the school's history, and it would be nice to have a few more Boar's Head Tales...
