From video games and lip sync contests to musical balloons and rodeos, this year's Interfraternity/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon participants had everything necessary to ward off their non-stopping, never-ceasing, ever-enduring enemy: sleep.

"It's like a big party," yelled Jean-Marie Pugliese (sophomore-secondary education) as she twisted and turned among the colorful beachballs and flying yo-yos passing through the air.

In the initial hours of the marathon, dancers passed the time jumping rope, engaging in squirt gun wars or playing video games.

"I brought that book, Juggling for the Complete Clutz, and if I don't do anything else tonight I'm going to learn how to juggle," said Boone Vandzura (junior-recreation and leisure).

Fresh off a game of four-square and hopscotch, Vandzura's dance partner Sue Cortolileo (junior-HRIM) said she preferred the playground activities.

As the hours wore on and the dancers became weary, more exciting fare was in order.

Friday at midnight the bandstage was transformed into a makeshift TV studio as dancers participated in a Penn State version of the popular "Dating Game."

Bachelors and bachelorettes were cheered and jeered depending on the quality of their answers to questions like, "If I were to raid your underwear drawer, what would I find?" and "If stranded on a desert island together, what could we do to take our minds off the situation?"

Those dancers wishing to stay informed during their 48-hour seclusion busily read local newspapers while others opted to view the cinematic selection which ranged from Animal House and Roger Rabbit to Batman and Indiana Jones.

When the words to "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode periodically rang out over the speakers, all 540 dancers forgot their aches and pains, quickly forming their weary-worn bodies into symmetrical rows to perform the line dance.

The line dance helps overcome sleepiness because it pulls everyone together as one strong unit, said dancer Jeff Campbell (sophomore-economics).

Bearing nearly 2,000 letters of encouragement from friends and loved ones, dancers were greeted by "Mike the mailman" of the McAllister Building Post Office late Saturday evening.

In keeping with the summer camp theme, the letters from home were meant to praise, cheer and push the dancers on to the end, said Kevin Donlon, morale committee chairman.

Andy Luntz (sophomore-management), who played everything from poker to catch, said the activities were helpful in keeping the dancer's minds occupied.

"When you're out there doing other stuff, you don't think about the pain or the time," Luntz said.

With all the entertainment and hoopla, Heather Newman (junior-elementary education) said she still prefers the good old fashioned method of traditional marathoners.

"The best thing to keep me awake is just dancing."