The greek community held its annual Watermelon Fest event Thursday to connect older members with new sorority and fraternity pledges of other chapters.

King Bam and the Love Monkeys, a band composed of Delta Tau Delta fraternity members entertained the crowd in Richardson Court Association courtyard. At this roughly 10-year-old tradition, burgers and hot dogs were grilled by FarmHouse fraternity members and watermelon was served.

“It’s something that helps us right away with the new members and they have the opportunity to come with their chapter and see the greek community at its best,” said Bridget Halbur, sophomore in agricultural studies and member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. Halbur is also a member of Emerging Greek Leadership Council — the group that plans the celebration each year.

EGLC chose to make Watermelon Fest a philanthropy event in which the sororities and fraternities register members from their chapters. All proceeds went to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association to aid victims of Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Doing the event for this specific cause this year hit home for some members of the greek community because a member of EGLC had a parent pass away because of the disease.

Members in line a little longer than expected due to grilling problems, but participants kept a positive attitude and chowed down on watermelon while waiting.

“It was worth the wait and I had a chance to reconnect with everyone in the process,” said Ben McDonald, sophomore in agriculture business and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity member.

Those working shared a similar experience.

“The weather was good, the people were great and going greek is awesome,” said Mitch McDermott, junior in agriculture and life sciences education and member of FarmHouse fraturnity.

For many freshmen, it was their first taste of the entire community.

“It was neat seeing how big the greek community really is,” said Emily Vanella, freshman in psychology and pledge in Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

“The watermelon was so tasty,” said Cerella Carlson, freshman in pre-business and a pledge of Chi Omega sorority. “I loved seeing all the different letters of the sororities and fraternities.”

This event leads up to Live Greek 365; an event Sunday for all new sorority and fraternity pledge members. Live Greek 365 consists of two, three-hour sessions informing members of all of the unique opportunities they can involved in now that they’ve just gone greek.