It’s that time of year again. After months of hype and controversy, Veishea 2000 is ready to take center stage, and once again, the ISU community holds its collective breath in hopes the celebration will be safe, alcohol-free — and people will actually show up.

It’s no secret there are many people at Iowa State who have a problem with Veishea being dry.

Many of their points with Veishea are valid, too — the student-run celebration has largely been controlled by the ISU administration since 1998.

In order to keep an almost 80-year-old tradition, students were given the choice of absolutely no alcohol or absolutely no Veishea, which, as we all know, isn’t much of a choice.

The discussion surrounding Veishea needs to continue. Students who are dissatisfied with the way the celebration is now being handled should continue to voice their opinions and share their thoughts.

Every year, when the four major student governments — the Government of the Student Body, the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council and the Inter-Residence Hall Association — debate whether to approve the alcohol-free celebration, the discussion seems a little bit more encouraging.

Viewpoints that are opposed to the administration’s seem to emerge, and this needs to continue in order for students to reclaim their celebration.

But that doesn’t mean students need to wait until next year or the year after that or five years to reclaim Veishea — they should reclaim it now, this weekend. And how do they do that? By being a part of the celebration.

Too many students are often too discouraged by the fact that Veishea is alcohol-free to give the celebration a chance.

Many say they’re not happy the Veishea Committee didn’t snag Smashing Pumpkins or the Red Hot Chilli Peppers for Veishea Center Stage.

Maybe they think the event just can’t be relatively enjoyable without alcohol.

For all the students out there who say Veishea’s boring —maybe you’re boring. One glance at the schedule of events is enough to let anyone know that there’s quite possibly something for everyone.

If you don’t feel like the parade, try Veishea Center Stage or Dew the Rec. Maybe you should stop by Taste of Veishea or the International Food Fair. The point is, there is an abundance of activity for Iowa State to get involved in this weekend. How often does that happen in Ames?

Veishea might not be the celebration that everyone wants, but it’s still ours. Let’s enjoy it.

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Sara Ziegler, Greg Jerrett, Kate Kompas, Carrie Tett and David Roepke.