Booths, colorful signs, free stuff, dance and musical performances, and hordes of people braving the sticky summer air. It sounds like a carnival, but this scene takes place at the start of every school year at the annual Quad Day.
The tradition began 32 years ago as an experiment to familiarize new students with the people, organizations, and facilities that make up campus. The idea hinged on maintaining an informal and friendly atmosphere by lining the Quad with booths. The day was a success and has only gotten more popular since.
The 10,000 students who sweated their way up and down the quad this year had 460 booths to visit and 35 demonstrations or performances to watch. They came to promote, sign-up, see friends, be entertained, and yes, they came to grab those free pens.
Many of those participating in the Quad Day fun were freshmen. UI admitted about 6,850 new students making this freshman class the largest in history.
