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Marietta College officially welcomes back Doo Dah Day

Event started in 1974 returns after three-year hiatus

Marietta, Ohio (04/12/2017) — This year, Marietta College will be formally relaunching Doo Dah Day for the first time since 2013. It is scheduled for 5-11 p.m., Friday, April 21, following All Scholars Day.

Wrapped in tradition dating back to 1974, Doo Dah Day marks the celebration of the arrival of spring and allows students to take a break from their rigorous studies in order to celebrate being a Marietta College Pioneer.

The first Doo Dah Day included a myriad of events such as a demonstration of bow tying with the president, a hayride, music, beer and pie eating. Later years introduced new hallmark events such as mud volleyball and sumo wrestling as well.

"I think it's exciting anytime you get to bring back a long-lost tradition," said Erin Riordan-Dye, Associate Director of New Student Programs & Student Activities. "You really have a chance to reinvent it to the needs and wants of the current campus population."

The Doo Dah Day Committee is not owned by a particular organization, but a conglomerate of major student groups on campus including members from the Pioneer Activities Council, Student Government Association, Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, Community Advisors and select staff.

Activities this year will include carnival games, a throwback dance party, cookout, pie-eating contest, field games and the iconic hot air balloon. Sponsored events will include Pio-Dome hosted by the Pioneer Activities Council, which includes bubble soccer, archery tag, a free-fall jump, and a Wipeout inspired inflatable. A photo booth hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement will also give students the opportunity to document their memories.

"The collaboration makes sure that this event appeals to all members of campus," said Lindsey Eckstein '17 (Cincinnati, Ohio), the outgoing Executive Director of PAC. "Different perspectives allow us to not overlook any one aspect and ensures that it is the best it can be."

The event will be held on Harrison Lawn, Parsons Lawn, and the Harrison/McCoy parking lot. At the information booth upon entering the event, students can pick up a free T-shirt and purchase wristbands for alcoholic beverages. Wristbands will be $10 each and will allow students 21 and over to have a pint of beer or a glass of wine per hour of the event.

The Doo Dah Day Committee intentionally planned the event to follow the All Scholars Day activities to show the connection Marietta College has to its academics and to emphasize the relationship between Academic Affairs and Student Life. The Committee looks forward to seeing the campus community celebrate the end of the semester and the accomplishments of fellow students.

"This is one of the longest held traditions at Marietta College," said Paige Berschet '18 (London, Ohio), newly elected SGA President. "I think bringing back this tradition and keeping it alive will bring us together and make us proud to be Pioneers."

Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy begun in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835. Today Marietta College serves a body of 1,200 full-time students. The College offers 45 majors and has been listed among Barron's Best Buys in College Education and Peterson's Competitive Colleges, and has been recognized as one of the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, as well as one of the nation's best by Forbes.com.

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Marietta College students enjoyed last year's Doo Dah Day launch party. Now the long-standing tradition is officially back.

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