Maryland Day is an annual campus-wide family-oriented community outreach event and open house at the University of Maryland, College Park. It features demonstrations, performances, sports events, tours, hands-on activities, food, games, give-aways, and information about research, academics, student life, and other activities at the university and in the surrounding community.

Visitors and pavilions in front of McKeldin Library on Maryland Day, 2008
Visitors and pavilions in front of McKeldin Library on Maryland Day, 2008

The event generally runs from 10am to 4pm on the last Saturday in April, and admission is free.[1] The university estimates that 8,000 volunteers participate,[2] and has claimed an annual attendance of at least 80,000.[1] In 2023, there were over 300 attractions at Maryland Day.[3]

History

Maryland Day was proposed in 1998 by then-president of the University, Dan Mote,[2] and was first held in 1999, with the inaugural theme "Explore our World".[1][4] Maryland Day incorporated the Ag Day event held by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources since 1925, which includes livestock shows and showmanship competitions.[5] The Maryland Terrapins football Spring Game, an annual scrimmage tradition since 1951, has been held on Maryland Day since 2001.[6]

For the tenth anniversary event in 2008, campus dining services presented what it claimed to be the world's largest batch of cupcakes, a 60-by-45-foot (18 by 14 m) display of 50,000 cupcakes depicting the University's seal.[7]

The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] In 2022, students led a march for LGBTQ rights during Maryland Day activities, in response to anti-LGBTQ legislation being promoted in several US states.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ahaghotu, Chioma-Emilia (April 26, 2022). "University of Maryland welcomes back Maryland Day this weekend". WUSA9. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 "University of Maryland Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of its Maryland Day Open House". Newswise.com. March 20, 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "University of Maryland to celebrate 'Maryland Day' with events, activities". CBS Baltimore. April 26, 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  4. ↑ Krakower, Annie. "Deconstructing Maryland's Open House". MarylandToday.
  5. ↑ "Ag Day". University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  6. ↑ Rosh, Lauren (April 23, 2001). "Maryland football Spring Game: More than just a scrimmage". Testudo Times. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "Univ. chases a sweet record: 50,000 cupcakes". The Diamondback. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  8. ↑ Consoli, James (May 4, 2022). "Maryland Day successes pick up right where they left off in 2019". The Diamondback. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  9. ↑ Chingarande, Tinashe (May 2, 2022). "University of Maryland students march for LGBTQ rights on 'Maryland Day'". Washington Blade. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
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