It may be difficult to imagine a group of Iowa State students donning crazy clashing clothes and marching in rows of three with lawn chairs flying left and right.

But this is a perfect picture of a longtime tradition at Barker House. The tradition shows its residents can have a blast without alcohol.

“Our motto is ‘hard at play,’ and we promote that you don’t need alcohol to have fun,” said Edie Wishman, junior in history.

The tradition is known as Barker Brigade Lawn Chair Drill Team, which began in 1986 by a group of Barker House students.

“It was a way to show the ISU campus how we can have fun without alcohol,” said Molly Poguel, ISU alumna and member of the original drill team. “We never really dreamt it would be repeated year after year as an on-going tradition.”

Because the drill team is still going strong, she said the original drill team has left behind a legacy.

The legacy is continued today by Bonnie Smith, senior in animal science and resident of the co-ed Barker House. Smith currently is the leader of the drill team.

“The activity is for fun and floor-bonding. It’s a way to have fun without drinking, and it is strictly on a volunteer basis,” Smith said.

She said the drill team usually consists of around 18 members. She added that dancing skills are not required.

“You don’t need to be coordinated or graceful — even if you don’t have any rhythm, I can teach you,” Smith said.

As leader of the team, Smith will be instructing members with a microphone instead of participating in the performance. The team also has a chairperson who acts as a mascot by entertaining and interacting with the crowd.

“I know the crowd likes us,” Smith said. “I have been told by various individuals from the community that they come to Veishea just to see the Lawn Chair Drill Team perform.”

Despite of being a hit with the crowd, Smith said she feels that the team is not well recognized by the governing body of Veishea.

“I would like to see a variety of events that are also awarded, and not just floats,” she said.

“I had a blast doing it for Pufferbilly Days in Boone, and I’m excited about doing it for Veishea,” said John Lystig, drill team member and junior in industrial engineering.

Aside from taking home first place for Pufferbilly Days five years in a row, the team also has performed in the Fool’s Parade in Des Moines where it took home a first-place prize of $1,000.

In addition to the cash awards, the team also receives funding through the Richardson Court Association. The money buys new lawn chairs each year.

The drill team is not the only non-alcoholic event in which Barker House participates throughout the year; everything the residents do is alcohol-free.

During this year’s Homecoming, the residents took part in Habitat for Humanity and the Kaleidoquiz trivia contest sponsored by KURE radio. The trivia contest lasts for 26 hours straight, and Barker House has taken first place two years in a row.

“Living on an alcohol-free floor and participating in non-alcoholic events means I don’t have to put up with vomit in the bathroom, out of control people, stale beer in the hallway, date rapes or assault situations,” Smith said.

People who are interested in Barker House and its activities, can check out its Web page at http//www.public.iastate.edu/~stu_org/RCA-Barker/.