Rutgers Day 2019: 10 events not to miss

Once again, you can express your Scarlet Pride with Rutgers Day, the state university’s annual cross-campus celebration of everything RU, on Saturday, April 27.

In New Brunswick and Piscataway, more than 600 free activities will take place on the Cook, Douglass, College Avenue and Busch campuses. Last year, a record crowd exceeding 100,000 visitors learned firsthand about the university’s research, teaching and service, while enjoying hands-on demonstrations, interactive activities and student performances, including cultural dances, live bands and martial arts.

"Rutgers Day is a chance to share our Rutgers pride and present programs that showcase the university’s many strengths in academics, research, culture, athletics and community outreach,” university spokeswoman Dory Devlin said. “Costs for the day are shared across university departments, schools and programs. The popular day, which draws tens of thousands of our neighbors of all ages, provides a chance for residents from across New Jersey to see firsthand what happens here every day."

Here’s a guide to what not to miss to miss this year at Rutgers Day!

SEE ALSO:Rutgers honors Paul Robeson with new plaza

New Jersey Folk Festival

For the 45th anniversary of the state’s largest folk fest, organizers, who are art students and faculty within the university’s School of American Studies, will welcome back themes from the past four years. They are maritime, bluegrass Showcase, Turkish traditions and the Native Americans of New Jersey! Live music and dance performances, an array of crafts and food vendors, children's activities and heritage demonstrations will be among the many highlights.

RU FYI: Eagleton Institute lawn, corner of George Street and Ryders Lane, on the Douglass Campus, New Brunswick, njfolkfest.org 

Ag Field Day

This annual celebration of the community spirit and close ties enjoyed by Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences students, faculty, staff, alumni, volunteers and New Jersey residents has been going on since 1906 to connect farmers with the community at large. While Ag Field Day no longer caters specifically to farmers, the reporting of scientific findings and demonstrations of science-based solutions important to New Jerseyans continue to take center stage.

RU FYI: Throughout Cook Campus, New Brunswick, agfieldday.rutgers.edu/

Alumni Weekend and Parade

With events also on Friday, April 26, Alumni Weekend will include about 20 activities, the centerpiece of which will be a Rutgers Day & All Alumni Parade leaving 10:30 a.m. from the College Avenue Gym. Hundreds of alumni, Rutgers Marching Scarlet Knights, cheerleaders, graduating seniors and the Scarlet Knight mascot will march down College Avenue to Old Queens, the university’s oldest building. On the lawn there, an Alumni Barbecue will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Now the offices of university President Robert Barchi and his staff, Old Queens is surrounded by Somerset, George and Hamilton streets.  

RU FYI: Mainly College Avenue Campus, New Brunswick, rutgersday.rutgers.edu/node/109

Paul Robeson Centennial

The newly dedicated Paul Robeson Plaza and the Paul Robeson 100 tent will celebrate the centennial of the Rutgers legend’s graduation, while focusing on the famous alumnus’ remarkable life as a scholar, athlete, actor, singer and global activist. Other Rutgers Day Robeson activities will include “Paul Robeson Portraits,” works commissioned the university’s nearby Zimmerli Art Museum that highlight his legacy as part of a yearlong celebration honoring him. At 1 p.m., “Fight for Freedom: Paul Robeson’s Life and Legacy Exhibition” can be enjoyed at Alexander Library on College Avenue.

RU FYI: Mainly Paul Robeson Plaza, Vorhees College Avenue and Seminary Place, New Brunswick

Big R Stages and Scarlet Stage

Each participating campus will have a Big R Stage, while College Avenue also will have a Scarlet Stage. On all four stages, Rutgers-related artists will perform and demonstrate their various talents. The stage will be at the famous Passion Puddle, the pond in between Cook and Douglass at 71 Lipman Drive. On Busch, the stage will be in the Life Sciences Area on Allison Road at Frelinghuysen Road Drive in Piscataway. The Big R Stage on College Avenue will be at the Vorhees Mall Area, while Scarlet Stage will be at the Bishop House at Bishop Place. Highlights will include sets by Rutgers-originated bands Painted Young, Cold Weather Company and Sonoa, as well as Rutgers Youth Jazz Ensemble.  

RU FYI: Throughout the university, rutgersday.rutgers.edu/content/new-brunswick-performance-stages

Puppy fun

If you like puppies, Cook College has three fun family-oriented events. The university’s 4-H Youth Development program will present its annual New Jersey 4-H State Dog Show in which youngsters will exhibit their knowledge and skills in a variety of competitions. They include obedience, rally and agility. Seeing-eye puppy raisers also will test their dog skills. A companion activity organized by the Department of Animal Science will allow guests to meet and pet the seeing-eye puppies, while learning more about them, their training and how both can be supported.

Your own pop will enjoy the Kappa Omicron Nu’s Nutritional Sciences Honor Society’s Doggie Depot and Dance Party, which will offer dogs fresh treats and their own dance contest at the College Avenue Student Center Area.

RU FYI: Cook Farm area and College Avenue Student Center area, both New Brunswick

Slimy fun

Slime not only is a hit with kids on Nickelodeon but also at Rutgers Day. Four different slimy events aim to turn prospect legacies onto science, as well as the university. Families can get their faces painted with slime and become a human work of art courtesy of the Youth Empowerment Club on Red Oak Lane on the Cook Campus. And at the Busch Student Center Area, the slimy fun will come three-fold with “DIY Slime and Science Experiments” with the Rutgers chem department, “Science and Slime!” with the Theta Tau engineering fraternity and a Slime Station with the Minority Engineering Educational Task Force.  

RU FYI: Cook and Busch campuses

Bringing movies to life

Rutgers Day will bring to popular film and book series to life, “Hunger Games” and “Harry Potter.” With “Hunger Games,” students from Rutgers Against Hunger will offer a clementine-eating contest, the Chubby Bunny Challenge and other games to teach about food insecurity. Meanwhile, Rutgers Quidditch team will be playing the Hogwarts sport and guests are welcome to help rip a page out of Potter lore.

RU FYI: Red Oak Lane area, Cook Campus

Fiesta

The university’s Center for Latino Arts and Culture has four activities happening. Fiesta Latina will include face painting, crafts and a community arts project that will engage the entire family. “Latin American Womyn” will acquaint guests with the power that Latinas have in the world. “Latinidades” will feature works by student artists. And the Latino Student Organization Showcase also will display a variety of talents and accomplishments.

RU FYI: Center for Latino Arts and Culture, 172 College Ave., clac.rutgers.edu/

Fight the Knight

Take in a sparring demonstration, get a quick lesson, and even challenge an experienced member in riot gear with the university’s Martial Arts Club

RU FYI: Red Oak Lane area, Cook Campus

Rutgers Day also will be celebrated on the Newark and Camden campuses with about 300 additional events. For more info about them, visit rutgersday.rutgers.edu/.

Staff Writer Bob Makin: 732-565-7319; bmakin@gannett.com