Freshman year. Wednesday of the last week of classes of the Spring semester. Banging and clanging of UMaine’s marching band. 6am.
This was my initial experience of Maine Day. After looking out my dorm window and after the feeling of disgust wore away, I realized what was going on. There was a parade outside my window! Perhaps the celebration began a bit too early for my liking, but Maine Day is truly a celebration of community service and a great way to have some fun before finals week begins.
According to UMaine’s website, Maine Day was inaugurated by President Arthur Hauck in 1935. On this day in April, all classes are canceled. As I said before, the day begins with a parade by the school’s marching band. Then, for the rest of the morning, students who signed up to participate perform several service projects around the campus. The university likes to think of it as a “spring clean-up.” Then, in the afternoon, the fun begins! The entire steam plant parking lot is cleared of all vehicles so they can host a huge barbecue. Also, Maine Day is infamous for its ooze ball tournament, which is just volleyball played in the mud. Last year it was especially chilly in April and especially muddy by the steam plant parking lot so conditions were quite terrible for those participating in ooze ball and quite hysterical for those just spectating.
This year, Maine Day falls on April 29th. Hopefully it’s slightly warmer than it was last year, but nevertheless, I’m sure it will be just as fun and just as successful!
This was my initial experience of Maine Day. After looking out my dorm window and after the feeling of disgust wore away, I realized what was going on. There was a parade outside my window! Perhaps the celebration began a bit too early for my liking, but Maine Day is truly a celebration of community service and a great way to have some fun before finals week begins.
According to UMaine’s website, Maine Day was inaugurated by President Arthur Hauck in 1935. On this day in April, all classes are canceled. As I said before, the day begins with a parade by the school’s marching band. Then, for the rest of the morning, students who signed up to participate perform several service projects around the campus. The university likes to think of it as a “spring clean-up.” Then, in the afternoon, the fun begins! The entire steam plant parking lot is cleared of all vehicles so they can host a huge barbecue. Also, Maine Day is infamous for its ooze ball tournament, which is just volleyball played in the mud. Last year it was especially chilly in April and especially muddy by the steam plant parking lot so conditions were quite terrible for those participating in ooze ball and quite hysterical for those just spectating.
This year, Maine Day falls on April 29th. Hopefully it’s slightly warmer than it was last year, but nevertheless, I’m sure it will be just as fun and just as successful!
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