Only on Quad Day can you stroll past padded sword-fighting, a guy in a chicken suit, and the Marching Illini, all within yards of each other.
As part of the University of Illinois' Welcome Week, this 35th annual event crowded the Quad with about 600 student organizations and community booths. While passing out handbills (or free magnets, cups, or CDs), groups were promoting and recruiting for all sorts of interests: athletics, creative arts, fields of study, fraternities and sororities, volunteer service, spiritual development-there was even a club "about nothing." (The guy in the chicken suit drew attention to the Illini Poultry Club.)
Throughout the day, Belegarth Numenor (the armored foamfighters) jousted, jugglers twirled sticks and tossed flaming rods to each other, martial arts groups gave demos, and dancers, bands, and other performers entertained on the stage by the Illini Union. Following tradition, the Marching Illini lined the steps of Foellinger around noon accompanied by Illinette dancers and a flag corps.
Held the day before classes start, Quad Day provides new and returning students the opportunity to find their niche on or off campus. This year's new freshmen totaled 7,172. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences welcomed more than 4,500 freshmen, continuing the trend of an increasing LAS class size.
