It has become one of the many mid-fall traditions at Harvard: the leaves change, midterms arrive and hundreds of first-years give up a little of their newfound freedom and independence for Freshman Parents' Weekend.

The crowd wandering around Harvard Yard was decidedly more middle-aged yesterday, as parents began to arrive for the festivities planned for today and tomorrow.

Events including Faculty discussion panels, museum tours and opportunities to attend classes and entertainment events for parents interested in finding out where their $35,000 tuition payments are going.

"We look forward to giving parents an introduction to what their kids do every day," said Harvard College Parents Association Director Julia G. Fox. "I encourage parents to go to some of the performances this weekend, particularly the first-year production of 'Arcadia.' "

Among the many performances this weekend are two shows by On Thin Ice, an improvisational comedy group.

"We may have to tone down some of the humor for the adult audience, but it will be nice to show my parents I am actually doing something worthwhile here," said the troupe's lone first-year, Robert J. Dubbin '04.

Recently-arrived parents like K.C. and Becky Crahan, parents of Tom Crahan '04, said they were happy to see what everyday life at Harvard is like.

"We are going to Tom's Chinese class, and we'll spend time with him," said K.C. Crahan. "Although we are wondering why there isn't a home football game this weekend."

Most students interviewed said they were glad to see their parents, but downplayed the weekend's significance.

"I'm kind of happy to see them but it is not very important," said Michael J. Whalen '04.

Others seemed a little more concerned about the upcoming visits.

One first-year spoke hurriedly because, as she said, "I have to go back to my room right now to hide my alcohol."

"I have some stolen street signs I will have to tell my dad belong to my roommates," said another first-year who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Students said "parent-proofing dorm rooms," as Leigh Wahba '04 called it, was common, but said general cleaning was even more so. Clothes were cleaned, floors vacuumed and mysterious odors were banished yesterday by anxious first-years.

"I had to completely clean my whole room," said Christine M. Liu '04. "That's probably the biggest problem for me this weekend."

Students whose parents will not be attending said felt a little left behind by the events.

"My parents don't love me," quipped Hunter A. Maatz '04, who later explained that they were just not able to make the long trip from France.

Those who were excited for their parents' arrival often had mixed motives for their enthusiasm.

"It will be a nice change of pace to get some food outside of Annenberg," said Shannon A. Barker '04.

Despite the fears of criticism or possible parental muscle-flexing in the form of curfews, most students did say they were genuinely glad to see their parents again.

"I'm very excited they are coming," said Suzanne J. Podhurst '04. "And that is not just because they are bringing lots of food and soda."