Baylor Breaks for a "Pirate Dia" April 19

April 17, 2007

by Jodi Cunningham, student newswriter, (254) 710-1961

The pirates are coming ... to campus! Baylor University students, faculty and staff will take a break from the spring semester to celebrate "Pirate Dia," the 73rd annual Diadeloso, on Thursday, April 19, at the Baylor Sciences Building fields.

This year's theme will feature many pirate-inspired activities, such as an inflatable pirate ship slide and "Spanish galleon buccaneer" bouncer. In addition, a professional sand sculpture artist will spend the day demonstrating and teaching her sculpting skills.

Sponsored by Bandera Ranch Townhomes, The Centre, McAlister's Deli and the Baylor University Bookstore, Diadeloso also will showcase three caricature artists who will draw personalized student portraits. One of the newest Diadeloso traditions, the Dia Dog Show, also will take place. During the dog show, students will be able to spotlight their pooches as they compete for the titles of Best Dressed, Best Trick and Peoples' Choice.

Students may participate in a number of tournament games throughout the day, including tug of war, sand volleyball, indoor soccer, co-ed Ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball, racquetball, tennis, a 5K Fun Run and the Diadeloso Strongest Man Competition.

In addition, "Pirate Dia" will include a variety of live performances. The Baylor Spirit Squads will perform at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the Guerilla Comedy Troup, Baylor's own improvisation group, will perform at 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. At 12:15 p.m., the Latin Dance Society will take the stage, followed by the Baylor NPHC Step Show at 12:30 p.m., and the Mission Waco Step Show at 1:30 p.m. A wing-eating contest sponsored by Wing Zone will take place at 2:45 p.m. The local band The Awesomes! will play at 3:15 p.m. and 5 p.m., and the Swing Dance Society will perform at 3:45 p.m.

Hypnotist Rich Aimes will return to campus to be a part of Diadeloso with his interactive hypnotism show. Performances will be at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Diadeloso also serves as a time for the crowning of the annual Dia Queen and the election of the 2007-2008 student government officers. 

While all residence hall dining facilities will be closed, a picnic lunch will be served from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the Baylor Sciences Building fields. The meal will consist of Caribbean chicken breast or tropical beef stir fry, yellow rice, corn, rolls and fruit salad with freeze pops and coconut ice cream bars for dessert. Card readers will be available for those students with meal plans or lunch may be purchased for $7.

Diadeloso t-shirts are $10 and available in brown, dark blue and pink. Shirts may be purchased in all cafeterias on campus and the Chamber of Commerce office from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Diadeloso is one of Baylor's most beloved traditions that began in the spring of 1934 so that students could have a break from classes and enjoy a "play day" with their classmates. The name of the event has changed through the years from "All University Day" to "Physical Fitness Day" to "May Day." In 1966, the student body voted to officially name the event "Diadeloso" or "The Day of the Bear."

For more information about this year's Diadeloso festivities, contact the Baylor Chamber of Commerce at (254) 710-3322 or visit www.baylor.edu/diadeloso.