More than 600 sorority and fraternity members will gather at Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, 321 E. Fairmount Ave., tonight for the 1991 Greek mixer.

The event, "Nothing Like Animal House," is sponsored by the Interfraternity Council's University Relations committee.

Pete Thistle and the Modern Day Pharaohs are slated to appear during the mixer, which will begin at 8 p.m. and end at 1 a.m.

The festivities will feature a raffle with prizes including a Polo necktie from The Young Men's Shop, 216 Calder Way; a $15 gift certificate from the University Book Centre, 206 E. College Ave.; and T-shirts from Discount Den, 127 S. Pugh St.

The event is only in its second year and Jordan Robinson, mixer co-chair, said entertainment efforts were "stepped up this year."

The alcohol-free mixer is scheduled in accordance with an IFC resolution forbidding any other Greek institutions from holding coinciding functions, Robinson said.

IFC rush events have been alcohol-free since 1987, Greek life coordinator Richard Funk said.

"It just goes to show that you can have a good time without alcohol," Funk said. "Too many times we use that excuse as a crutch."

"We want to promote a non-alcoholic atmosphere," Robinson said. "The IFC and Panhellenic councils see this as a hands-on experience and it provides us with the opportunity for all of us to come together at once without dealing with competing activities."

He added that while the event is scheduled in accordance with alcohol-free Rush week, the mixer is targeted to current Greeks rather than rushees.

"We wanted to keep our theme of promoting Rush week as alcohol free, but we are targeting our mixer efforts toward the actual fraternities and sororities," he added.

Project organizers were limited to a budget of $1,100, forcing them to solicit donations from area businesses.

"Unlimited Rentals, Kinko's and Gnomon helped us out with prize donations," Robinson said.

The Greek community's reaction to the alcohol-free theme has been positive.

"I think it's a really good idea," said Kirsten Peifer, Panhellenic representative for Delta Delta Delta sorority, 108 S. Cross Hall. "I think there should be more of this type of event."