It was open-air dancing; it was formal dresses and gardenias; it was bottles half-concealed in pockets; it was the biggest night of Class Week.

It was the Senior spread, only slightly dampened.

They hung colored bulbs from the trees in the Lowell House courtyard and turned the tower lights, on, too. Sammy Eisen's band sat on a covered platform and half the Class of 1954 danced.

The Lowell House gets were closed to all but seniors. The junior ushers justified their titles by steering the arrivals through the receiving line.

Around one a.m. they served the spread, and then danced until the rain began.

The activities continue today, at the same pace. At 11 a.m. in Paine Music Hall, the Army and Air Force R.O.T.C. units will hold a joint commissioning ceremony for seniors who have successfully completed the four-year courses, and who have agreed to accept commissions.

At 2 p.m., the Navy will commission its seniors at Paine Music Hall.

Seniors, their guests, dates, and parents will leave Lamont Library at 8 p.m. for the annual cruise on the S.S. Boston Belle. Accompanied by a special motorcycle escort provided by the local police, the buses will proceed to the Belle's pier for an evening of water-bound wining and dancing.

The activities continue on Wednesday with the Yale baseball game scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Soldiers Field. An informal buffet supper will be served that evening in the Lowell House Courtyard.

Addressing the cadets today will be Maj. Gen. Frank Merrill and Dean Bundy.