Why the VEISHEA Celebration Could Return to Iowa State

If you're young enough, you probably have never heard of the VEISHEA celebration that used to be held annually at Iowa State University. For nearly a century, the student-run celebration was held annually on the Iowa State campus in Ames. But damage, disruptions, and death caused the party to be cancelled in 2014. But VEISHEA could be on the way back.

Iowa State Legislature Considers Bringing VEISHEA Back

The party is back just yet. KCCI reports that Iowa legislators would at least like the return of VEISHEA to be considered. House Study Bill 545 would require the Iowa Board of Regents to conduct a study that would look at the potential benefits of VEISHEA returning to Iowa State University.

Why Was VEISHEA Cancelled?

In case you're wondering what VEISHEA stands for, KCCI reports that the letters stand for the school's five divisions in 1922: veterinary medicine, engineering, industrial science, home economics, and agriculture. Some celebrations saw riots on campus, extensive damage, and numerous injuries. KCCI reports that a visitor to the ISU campus was killed in 1997 just after VEISHEA, and another person died in 2012 after falling. A disturbance involving some 1,000 people during the 2014 celebration ended VEISHEA in Ames.

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Why Bring Back VEISHEA Now?

While some legislators question the need for the study, others have said that they have heard from people who attended VEISHEA before the riots, and said there were many benefits for the school, according to KCCI. If approved, the study would be concluded by November.