Robert L. Dwyer, a University purchaser,oversaw the rental of the chairs and china as wellas 20 tents and 1000 tables. Dwyer, who alsooversees rentals for Commencement and otherceremonies, said the 350th needed fewer chairsthan Commencement but more china. He said he didnot know the cost of any of the rentals.
So that alumni don't run into parking problems,the University has reserved parking lots all overHarvard Square for 350th guests. The CharlesSquare and Harvard Square parking lots will alsobe saved for those attending the celebration. Forthose who arrive by MBTA, Harvard has reservedlots at Braintree, Revere and Alewife.
Hotel Bonanza
Because of the scale of the celebration,business has spilled over to local hotelmerchants. The University has reserved more than2000 rooms in 17 hotels in the Boston area whichHarvard guests can rent at Special rates.
Both the Charles Hotel and the SheratonCommander are sold out for this weekend. Thebusiness comes during what is usually a slow week,said Commander General Manager James Collins.
Martha Sullivan, a spokesman for the CharlesHotel, said that nearly all 300 rooms in the hoteland all tables in its Rarities restaurant will beoccupied by Harvard affiliates. "The whole hotelis pretty much Harvard. The great majority of therooms are sold out to Harvard," she said.
The Charles has worked closely with planners ofthe 350th on events such as tonight'sChampagne-Swing Dance, which will be held at thehotel. The 1000 available tickets for the dancesold out weeks ago (the first 350th event to sellout), and 5000 guests are on the waiting list fortickets, she said.
In the spirit of celebration, the Charles alsoconcocted a special drink for the 350th called theCrimson Drink. The champagne and Chambord drink isavailable at the hotel's Regattabar for $4.50.
When the celebration is over, a task force ofHarvard employees, town garbage collectors andstreet cleaners will work to clean the whole thingup before the Class of 1990 arrives on September13.