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The annual spring tradition May Days begins Monday with wide-ranging events from the popular carnival to the newly created activity “‘Chillin’ on the DU Shore.”
The first event on deck will be the annual Pancake Brunch and Espresso Bar on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The breakfast will feature an espresso truck capable of concocting coffee drinks.
Following that event, there will be a community Farmer’s Market and Maypole Celebration from 3-5 p.m. The DU Programming Board (DUPB) Traditions committee is currently in the process of building a Maypole reminiscent of those pictured in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s May Days celebrations.
Chillin’ will also feature food from the DU Grilling Society (D.U.G.S.) and free Jamba Juice, as well as giveaways, Hawaiian themed leis and small kiddie pools.
At 5:30 p.m., in front of Penrose Library, the club cross-country team will host a 1980s-themed “Fanny Pack Fun Run.” The fundraiser costs $5 to participate and the run around campus is less than a mile long. All skill levels are welcome.
The highlight of the May Days celebration will be on Wednesday, May 25, with a traditional carnival and movie on the lawn. The carnival begins at 11:30 a.m. on Driscoll Green.
Each student organization on campus was invited to set up a booth at the carnival.
The “Movie on the Lawn” will be held on north Driscoll Green again this year, with an inflatable screen and free food. This year’s movie is “Grease” – but it will be the sing-a-long of the film.
The closing event of May Days, which will take place on Thursday, May 26, is a new addition this year, the Headphone Disco. The idea was inspired by reviews from other universities.
According to Emily Parker, the co-chair of the DUPB Traditions committee, there will be two DJs on each side of Driscoll green playing “silent” music. Students receive wireless headphones and can choose which of the two stations to tune into and dance with their friends.
The event is free with your DU student ID.
The Headphone Disco event comes in replacement of MusicFest, which is usually held on the Thursday of May Days. This year, however, MusicFest was held a week earlier, last Saturday, to accommodate venue scheduling with the Ritchie Center and negate the usual set-up costs of hosting the event on the Driscoll Lawn, according to Leslie Obletz, co-chair of DUPB.
“Moving inside was a great decision, especially because of the weather,” said Obletz.
Saturday’s MusicFest attracted 500 students by the end of the night. Five bands performed: Seek, Bretton Duvall, The Dean’s List, Chris Webby and Hujje. Each had a slightly different sound, allowing students to enjoy assorted styles.
Although the headliners Chris Webby and The Dean’s List drew the largest audiences, many were also excited to see what DU’s own Seek would bring to the show.
“Organization between all of the different [planning] parties has been awesome,” said Obletz.
There will be free giveaways throughout the May Days events next week, including two iPads, a pair of Bose headphones, two $100 Visa gift cards and May Days t-shirts.
The total cost of the festival is around $30,000, most of which comes from the student activity fees students pay with tuition, according to Parker.
Parker emphasized that one of this year’s goals was to preserve DU traditions while still giving students something new to look forward to.
“It will be everything you have enjoyed in the past, plus more,” she said. “I think May Days is what we all think college should be, hanging out on the green with food and music. Everyone has a way to get involved. It’s inclusive. College is about more than stress and tests.”
For more on May Days, check out the DUPB Facebook page.
The Farmer’s Market is co-sponsored by the Pioneer Leadership Program, which suggested adding the event to the May Day’s lineup to provide some healthy food for finals. The first 250 students in attendance will receive a reusable shopping bag.
On Tuesday, students can enjoy “Chillin’ on the DU Shore” featuring “GTL” – games, tanning and a luau. The event will be from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Driscoll Lawn and will include an inflatable obstacle course with inflatable slides.
