In case you did not know by scrolling through your Instagram feeds, this past Friday was Wet Hot. This annual, SLU-original celebration sports everything its name had to offer – being very wet, and very hot. Beginning with a harmless slip n’ slide, the night ended in a blur of red, white, blue, and denim, doused in a cloud of sparkly haze outside the Tick Tock. So whether you are a newbie or an experienced veteran, here is a little bit of background for the influence of our schools night of debauchery.
“Wet Hot American Summer” was a movie originally released in 2001, kick-starting the acting career of such actors as Bradley Cooper and Amy Poehler. Set in a small town in Maine, this film sets to capture the last night of a summer camp, Camp Firewood. Through the comedic depictions of last-chances, “Wet Hot American Summer” was meant to be a satirical representation of adolescent promiscuity. It did not immediately become a hit, but eventually gathered something of a cult following.
The film began to draw more attention as its cast moved on in their respective careers and became more well known. Due to this recognition, an eight-episode prequel series was released in 2015, with an eight-episode sequel series being released this past summer as well. The release of these reunion episodes sparked a rise in popularity for the original film.
The focus of the film – on this one night of no regrets, leaving every worry behind to simply live in the moment and enjoy the company that surrounds us – is the spirit with which St. Lawrence celebrates Wet Hot. The patriotic influence is more due to the name of the film than the film itself, since the cast is not actually dressed in red, white, and blue attire throughout the film. But what is an incredible night without themed attire?
In the end, the exact reason for our celebration is almost irrelevant – the important thing is that year after year, we come together and maintain yet another unique SLU tradition. So whether you have seen the movie, the show, or have only been exposed to it through our school’s shenanigans, never stop keeping it a wet and hot American summer.