82nd Annual Diadeloso Includes Old Traditions, New Additions
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Media contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275
WACO, Texas (April 8, 2014) – It’s a little hard to explain just what Diadeloso is to someone who isn’t an Oso, but it’s more than a day of frivolity and shenanigans on a random Thursday in spring.
“This cherished tradition, which is over 80 years old, provides our community a momentary break from classroom and other daily routines to enjoy entertaining acts and performances, engage in friendly competitions and take pleasure in being outdoors together on the beautiful Baylor campus,” said Kevin P. Jackson, Ph.D., vice president for student life at Baylor University, in an email to Baylor students.
The 2014 Diadeloso, or “Day of the Bear,” will be held throughout the day on Thursday, April 10, on Fountain Mall, 1360 S. Fifth St.
The first Diadeloso took place in 1932 with the same purpose it has today: to give students a break from classes with food, games, entertainment and beautiful spring weather. It was reorganized by the Baylor Chamber of Commerce in 1935 and has undergone several name changes over the years, including “All University Day,” “Physical Fitness Day” and “May Day.” Finally, in 1966 students voted to name the annual occasion "Diadeloso" or "Dia” for short.
Events and activities on Fountain Mall are open to the Baylor and Waco communities. Student organizations will host free activity booths; dogs will have the opportunity to participate in the Dia Dog Show, judged by the dog daycare center Dogtopia; children can participate in kid-friendly activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and individuals and teams can compete in athletic tournaments throughout the day.
Unique to the 82nd annual Diadeloso is the Second Annual Fun Run. Participants will be covered in colored foam as they make their way through a three-station course that ends with a colorful pit of foam.
“We were actually testing it out this morning and having quite a bit of fun with it,” said Kelcie Evans, Diadeloso chair for the Chamber of Commerce. “Most people don’t want to come up at 10 in the morning and run. This is a way we can make it a little more interesting.”
Registration for the Fun Run ends tonight, Tuesday April 8, at 11:59 p.m., or once the run reaches 500 entries.
Several student organizations and Uproar artists will perform on stage throughout the day, with a culminating performance at 8 p.m. by the band NEEDTOBREATHE, who has been touring the country and have performed at music festivals Bonaroo and Austin City Limits and throughout Europe. Click here for a complete stage schedule.
No Dia would be complete without exotic animals right here on campus. Past Diadelosos have seen camels and capuchin monkeys; this year, Fountain Mall will play host to a micro mini pig, a kinkajou, a marmoset, a hedgehog and a giant turtle.
For more details and a complete schedule of Diadeloso events, visit www.baylor.edu/diadeloso/.
by Rachel Miller, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.