Attention all sororities: Grab a hat because today kicks off Derby Days.

Derby Days is sponsored by Sigma Chi Fraternity and has been for 20 years, said Mike Dokich, Sigma Chi spokesman.

“Derby Days benefits the Cleo Wallace Center,” Dokich said. “The Cleo Wallace Center is a center for treatment for learning or emotionally disturbed kids. It stresses that children aren’t mentally retarded, but have suffered specific disorders which affected specific areas of their behavior.”

“Derby Days is when all the sororities compete against each other to gain the most points,” Dokich said. “The sorority with the most points gets money donated to their house.”

Derby Days will continue until Friday, allowing sororities to gain points, Dokich said. On Saturday there will be a party at the Sigma Chi house open to the public, he added.

Dokich said Derby Days has been very successful in the past. “We raised a countless amount of money last year. This year we’re expecting a great turnout.”

Derby Days events are planned throughout the week.

Tuesday is penny voting for sorority members nominated for

Derby Darling. Voting will be in DuSable Hall and Cole Hall.

Wednesday is Derby Trade, in which participants trade things such as cookies.

Thursday is Derby Chase, where the sororities try to collect the Derby Hats that the Sigma Chi members will be wearing all day.

Friday is Derby Games. Festivities include volleyball, lipsync and drawing sorority crests on the sidewalks.

On Friday night there will be a small party for the sororities only.

Wrapping up the week of festivities for Sigma Chi will be an open party at their house, Dokich said. Sigma Chi will have a beer garden, sponsored by Amnesia, for those 21 and over, he added. There will also be two bands, I-Lites, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Topaz, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.