Lions vs. Cows

I think you should know that Gold is the most beautiful color in the entire world. Or at least it was last night. Once again, my institution's annual "homecoming" event, College Night, has arrived. I put homecoming in quotations because it is not your typical, football/dance/dresses homecoming. In fact, I don't actually know why it's called homecoming at all - we don't even have a football team. Every year the school splits along color lines (purple and gold that is - the school colors) and the two sides put on competing musical performances. Yes, West Side Story style. The plays are original productions written, directed, performed, etc. by students. Whichever side wins receives the privilege of being "the best" for a whole year.
I know it probably sounds pretty dumb to all you "big school" graduates/fans. But to this little liberal arts campus, College Night is tantamount to any great football rivalry. All year students flash each other peace signs and thumbs up (purple and gold side signs respectively), administer not-so-subtle jabs at the others' theatrical ability, and desperately push new students to make up there mind already about which side they're on. There's always the option of "going green"; that is, not affiliating with either. But that would be like going to the Iron Bowl and saying you don't care if Alabama or Auburn wins and you're just there for the "experience".
I would try to explain the feeling of frenzied camaraderie that comes every show night as fans cheer for their side; the solemn reverence that permeates the theater as we all sing our side songs; the defiance displayed under the taunts of the opponents. But that would be kind of pointless. Because, in a way, the Green's do have it right; it is all in the experience. But part of that experience is being able to join in when - on Saturday night - your side is in on their knees in tears or screaming and dancing with joy.
Then on Monday it starts all over again. We'll all be friends until this time next year when everyone's waiting for the answer to "what's it gonna be?"