Blame it on the rain.

Though initially slated to be held outdoors just south of the Campanile, the 1997 Veishea Closing Ceremonies took shelter in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Veishea general co-chairs Daniel Faidley, a senior in agriculture business, and Stephanie Carney Michaels, a senior in elementary education, highlighted the ceremony by recapping the process of being selected as co-chairs and planning for Veishea.

“There’s a lot we didn’t know,” Carney Michaels said.

Faidley and Carney Michaels presented a plaque to Thomas Thielen, former vice president for student affairs and grand marshal of the ceremonies.

Thielen thanked the Veishea committee for honoring him and for its efforts. “It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” he said.

Open house winners included the American Ceramic Society, first place; Gaffer’s Guild, second place; Forestry Club, third place; Psychology Club, fourth place; and the Biology, Zoology and Genetics clubs took fifth place for their combined open house.

Parade winners included, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Gamma Phi Beta, Grand Marshal Award for best theme and originality; Delta Sigma Phi and Alpha Omicron Pi, President’s Award; Beta Theta Pi and Pi Beta Phi, Spirit Award; Delta Sigma Phi and Alpha Omicron Pi, Public Opinion Award; Beta Theta Pi and Pi Beta Phi, the Veishea Gold Star Award.

In the small division for floats, first place went to Alpha Tau Omega and Alpha Delta Pi.

In the medium division, Phi Delta Theta and Delta Delta Delta claimed first place. Second place went to Delta Sigma Phi and Alpha Omicron Pi. Third place went to Beta Theta Pi and Pi Beta Phi.

In the large division, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Gamma Phi Beta took first place. Second place went to Delta Tau Delta and Kappa Delta.

The overall sweepstakes winner was Phi Delta Theta and Delta Delta Delta. In nontraditional floats, first place went to Kappa Sigma and Delta Zeta. Second place went to the Management Information Systems Club. Third place went to Theta Chi and Alpha Gamma Delta.