Harvard Lampoon alumni, staff members and honorary celebrity members gathered last week to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the semi-secret Sorrento Square social organization that used to occasionally publish a so-called humor magazine.

"We came together to celebrate 125 years of frivolity, comedy and our contribution to public service," said Lampoon president Stephen C. Hely '02.

The festivities kicked off on Mar. 23 at the Lampoon Castle with drinks and introductions. Participants in the anniversary events each received a medallion, but younger members opted against sporting the gaudy gold souvenirs.

As more alums arrived at the Castle, revelers were chauffeured in black and white Rolls Royce limousines to Loeb House. Under a white tent, Poonsters sampled catered food and imbibed pricey liquors.

Following the receptions at Loeb House and the Lampoon Castle, some partygoers headed to the House of Blues for music and mingling, while others relaxed in the Longfellow Room in the Charles Hotel.

There, alumni like David C. Fogg '56 and Charles Brumwell '39 and Michael L. Reiss '81 made brief appearances. Reiss, who is known for catapulting the Simpsons television show to untold popularity, headed to the Charles Hotel after exhausting his energy at the House of Blues.

As some observers noted, the humor of the Lampoon alums was sorely less than expected. One Charles Hotel bartender said he had been bragging to his coworkers and friends about working the Lampoon anniversary bash but was disappointed by the participants.

"I loved their magazine and their movies and I really expected this to be a riot," he said said. "But it turns out that I'm funnier than most of these guys."