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What's Up in Lexington/Rockbridge, plus Pig Roast Report

3L Hannah Shtein reports on the annual Pig Roast, a quintessential law school event that kicks off the school year.

Pig Roast is a W&L Law tradition, an induction of sorts for 1Ls into the law school social scene, and a kickoff to the new school year. Pig Roast itself takes place on Saturday, and the whole school is invited to enjoy barbecue and yes, a whole roasted pig, on the vacation property of a W&L Law alum.

The night before the event, a group of 2L boys (chosen by 3Ls) and the 3Ls camp out on the property. The 2L boys are responsible for roasting the pig, and the 3Ls are responsible for having a memorable night (it’s a hard life).

This year’s Roast lived up to expectations. Scott Burton, Julian Harf, Brian Livingston, and Luke Stone valiantly stayed with the giant roasting pig all night to make sure it was cooked to perfection, and the 3Ls busied themselves with grilling, playing 90s and Christmas music (never too soon to start), and singing songs around a bonfire (highlights: Tom Petty, the Backstreet Boys).

Saturday morning, most 3Ls left to take a break from the great outdoors, and to catch up on sleep that had been interrupted by an infinite loop of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at 4:15am.

Pig Roast officially began at noon, and by 1pm it was in full swing. SBA had cleaned up the majority of the 3Ls’ damage from the night before, and set up tents with tables of food (pulled pork, mac and cheese, ribs) and space to sit down to enjoy it and talk with other attendees. The Foothill Mamas, a bluegrass band, played outside the tent, and a few brave souls danced, while others sat inside the tent or along the river and looked on.

Although some of the 3Ls who returned to Pig Roast after camping out and going home were a little zonked out, the class made an impressive showing. Most 2Ls and plenty of new 1Ls also showed up, so there were opportunities to spend time with old friends and meet new people.

Part of the reason Pig Roast is such a hyped up event at W&L Law (not to say that the fact that it’s a party focused on roasting an entire pig is not enough) is because it’s a relaxed, daytime event, and a good chance for the different classes to spend time together, and for the 1Ls to meet their classmates and 2Ls and 3Ls in an informal environment. It’s a perfect introduction to the W&L community, and to the sometimes unusual—but always entertaining—Lexington life. #herepiggypiggy

Coming Up this Week

9/25-9/27

14th Annual Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival. Glen Maury Park. Advance Tickets (online): 3-Day – $70/person | Thu – $25/person | Fri – $25/person | Sat – $30/person | FREE/children (under 12 with paying adult). Day-Of Tickets: 3-Day – $85/person | Thu – $30/person | Fri – $30/person | Sat – $35/person | FREE/children (under 12 with paying adult). 540-261-7321. Enjoy a Bluegrass concert made up of both local and nationally known Bluegrass bands, including Rhonda Vincent, Lonesome Will Mullins, The Bluegrass Mountaineers, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, James King, Larry Stephenson Band, The Bluegrass Brothers, Reno & Harrell, Bill Yates, Jr. Sisk & Ramblers Choice, Remington Ryde, and host band Nothin’ Fancy!

Law Revue Auditions, 6:30pm. Last year, W&L Law got second place in the national law revue submission contest. This year, we’re getting first (obviously). Email wheeler.n@law.wlu.edu for more information.

Friday, 9/26

Friends and Family Day! Family and Friends weekend is an opportunity for relatives and friends of W&L law and undergrad students to see campus and get a feel for the W&L community. Family and Friends Day costs $35 per attendee. If you will be joining your guests for lunch and/or the reception, please be sure they include you in the attendees they register for the event. https://colonnadeconnections.wlu.edu/law/service-pages/2014-law-family-and-friends-weekend

Cooking Class: Fall Foraging. 10am/Class; 12:30pm/Luncheon. Wade’s Mill. $30/Class; $17.50/Luncheon. 800-290-1400. We will begin our Fall season with a local meal from Rockbridge County. We will start with Fresh Roasted Tomato Soup, followed by Sauntéed Chicken Breasts accompanied by corn salad and we’ll conclude with Asian Pear Tart and Mountain View Farm Cheese.

Saturday, 9/27

Football Game: VMI v. Mercer, 1:30pm. Foster Stadium, Virginia Military Institute. 540-464-7517. Also check out www.generalssports.com for a full line up of home contests for the Generals.

Sunday, 9/28

Monticello trip! Law students will be taking a trip to Thomas Jefferson’s historic home all day Sunday.