Smurfs danced alongside goat farmers in the darkness of Hunky Dory’s Night Club as part of Ag Week 2000.

This is the first time in two years the dance has been at Hunky Dory’s Night Club, 300 S. 17th St., said Dairy Science Club President Jennifer Kunde, junior in dairy science.

“Hunky Dory’s seemed to be the only place to have an Ag College event,” said Michael Peiffer, senior in agricultural education.

Along with the dairy club, the Agriculture Education Club, Block and Bridle Club and the Soil and Water Conservation Club sponsored the Monday night event.

“Because there are more people involved and the number of people who show up, we decided to move the dance to Hunky Dory’s,” said Dance Co-Chair Danielle Brimeyer, junior in dairy science. “The past couple of years when we had the dance at The Zone, it was always packed and we had a line of people at the door waiting to get in.”

About 350 students attended the event, most of whom dug out their Halloween costumes a little early to participate in the costume contest. One unique costume, a shower curtain, was worn by Jeff “Tex” Mayes, junior in animal science.

“I got the idea to come as a shower from the movie ‘The Karate Kid,'” he said. “I like to be involved in activities for the College of Ag, but I also came to win.”

However, the winner was Ben Newhouse, senior in agronomy, who was dressed as cupid. He won a $20 gift certificate to Hickory Park Restaurant, 1404 S. Duff Ave.

“I had a random idea to come as cupid because it was a cheap costume, and it worked,” he said. “I’m glad I won because my embarrassment was worth it. I thought I would have enough supporters there to pull me through, and I did.”

About 30 people participated in the costume contest. Costumes included showers, bunnies, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, cowboys and television stars like Charlie’s Angels, Teletubbies and the Dukes of Hazard.

Nicholas Frohardt, freshman in agricultural studies, said he “felt outside pressure” to perform as he went into the contest. “Once I got into the zone I feel like it went very well,” he said.

However, some students said a little more participation would have made the night more exciting.

“I thought that more people who came to the dance could have dressed up,” said Brenda Stewart, senior in agricultural education.