With the first date parties and socials of the year coming up, I decided to ask around and see what students at different colleges all over the south seemed to be looking forward to the most. Here's a list of the 10 best date party and social ideas I found.

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Watermelon bash, Phi Mu and Sigma Nu, Auburn University.

“The watermelon bash is so much fun! This year we were with all of the Sigma Nu freshman in their barn and the goal was to smash as many watermelons as possible with bats. Our swaps are only for freshman so that we can meet as many other new members in the Greek community as possible. Smashing the watermelons was actually a great conversation starter and also something that not a lot of us had done before. It was great!” - Amy Langsenkamp, Phi Mu.

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Tacky prom, Tri Delta and Phi Delta Theta, University of Mississippi.

"Tacky Prom with Phi Delt is so much fun. You find the tackiest thrift store dress you can find and pair it with gaudy jewelry, blue eye shadow, and bold colored converse, basically looking like you just stepped straight out of the 80’s. Guys usually wear outrageous colored vests or tuxes. I even saw a guy rock some platform disco shoes once -- it’s a funky time. Phi Delt usually rents out a bar for the night and everyone socializes in all their tackiness; it’s the best.” - Kaley Harris, Tri Delt.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Florida State University.

“I knew as soon as Jameis Winston was drafted to play for the Bucs that Kappa would be going to a game. I was really lucky when planning it to be able to get tickets to the season opener, which just so happened to be a rematch of Winston and Mariota. The Bucs may have lost, but we definitely didn’t. I am so happy to be able to put on events like this where new and old sisters are able to bond and make unforgettable memories. We might have been WAY up in the stands, but we felt blessed.” - Alex Jones, Kappa Kappa Gamma.

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Stockholders, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, University of Alabama.

“Stockholders is an old tradition at SAE, but it’s only at this chapter and Mother Mu, the founding chapter. It’s basically a week long party with a brother night, casino night, and even another date party on Friday, but the actual Stockholders party is on Saturday. It’s a formal party where guys wear tuxes and girls were long dresses. There’s catered dinner, open bar with top shelf beverages, and a band in the band room. Everyone just goes crazy and it lasts until the next morning. It was probably the best week of my life. I can't wait for this year” - Hunter Haferkamp, SAE.

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The Jocial, Alpha Delta Pi and Kappa Alpha, Florida State University.

"The Jocial is one of the best socials of the year. We wear all jean everything, from denim dresses to jorts and the occasional overall. It's so fun to see how crazy the outfits can get and how much fun everyone has with it." - Ali Vorwerk, Alpha Delta Pi.

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Crawfish date party. Kappa Delta, Mississippi State University.

“Crawfish is our last date party every year in May. It's at a barbecue restaurant and bar called Little Dooey here in Starkville. We dress up like rednecks and eat crawfish and drink beer while listening to a live band. It doesn’t get much better than that.” - Caitlin Sacco, Kappa Delta.

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Beta Ski Lodge, Beta Theta Pi, Auburn University.

“This was one of the most fun date parties last year. The entire room was covered in packing peanuts and everyone dressed in winter and ski clothes. It was a great time unless you lost something amongst the peanuts because chances were you weren’t going to find it.” - Caroline Rentschler, Phi Mu.

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Headbanger's bash, Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi, and Kappa Delta, University of Florida.

“Once a year, we have a huge triple grab-a-date called ‘Headbanger’s Bash’ with Zeta, ADPi, and KD. Each girl gets to invite a date and everyone goes all out with their costumes. I’ve seen people wear crazy wigs and even paint their faces like KISS. We dance to rock n' roll all night and rent out a huge bar downtown. It’s definitely a date party you don’t want to miss!” – Savannah Green, Zeta Tau Alpha

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Bus trips, Kappa Sigma, Louisiana State University.

“We invite dates to join us on a bus trip to Gulf Shores, Ala. The trip is such a great time getting away from the stresses of college and to be able to go to the beach with all of the brothers and their dates. Everyone in Louisiana appreciates a trip to the beach, but it’s especially good to be able to go with all of your friends when you have an express bus ride to get you there.” - Paul Videau, Kappa Sigma.