Marked by improved weather and what organizers said was increased participation, Veishea 2000 went off without incident.

Justin Wilhelm, general co-chair for Veishea 2000, said the celebration went better than even he had hoped for.

“Veishea went as smooth as I could have asked,” said Wilhelm, senior in mechanical engineering. “Veishea is a great tradition with a lot of participation. Everyone had a great time and was full of enthusiasm.”

A goal this year for the Veishea Committee was to try to provide something for everyone, Wilhelm said, and he thought committee members succeeded.

Wilhelm said students are also becoming more comfortable with the fact that Veishea is now an alcohol-free celebration.

“More people are adapting to the fact that Veishea is dry,” he said.

ISU administrators also were pleased with the way Veishea 2000 was carried out.

Thomas Hill, vice president for Student Affairs, said he thought Veishea was successful this year because of participation and organization.

“The celebration was well-planned and well-executed, and many people enjoyed themselves, which is a good indication that Veishea went well,” he said.

ISU President Martin Jischke was out of town and unavailable for comment.

Arrests and violence appeared initially to be down from previous Veisheas.

Sheila Lundt, assistant to the Ames city manager, said there was no property damage on or off campus from Veishea to her knowledge, and she said this year marked the lowest number of arrests within the past 10 years.

“The city was very pleased with how Veishea turned out this year,” Lundt said. “Everyone seemed to be having a good time. It was a very safe event.”

The Department of Public Safety charged 22 people this weekend with various offenses, mostly alcohol-related, said DPS Director Loras Jaeger, noting this has been one of the most low-key celebrations in terms of crime.

“There were relatively few problems this year,” Jaeger said. “It was similar to a busy football game or concert weekend, and we had the fewest problems since I have been here for the past nine years.”