Rutgers Day offers more than 600 free events in New Brunswick, Camden and Newark

Last year, a record crowd of more than 100,000 visitors learned firsthand about the university’s research, teaching and service.
Photo: Nick Romanenko / Rutgers University

Rutgers Day, Rutgers University’s annual welcome and show-and-tell for New Jersey residents of all ages, will take place Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The annual event offers more than 600 free performances, demonstrations and interactive activities. Last year, a record crowd of more than 100,000 visitors learned firsthand about the university’s research, teaching and service. This year’s celebration includes programming at all three of the university’s locations – Camden, New Brunswick and Newark.

Rutgers Day coincides with Alumni Weekend. Alumni may connect with old friends and classmates and enjoy refreshments in alumni tents at all three locations. In addition, the New Jersey Folk Festival, which is on Cook/Douglass campus in New Brunswick, celebrates the theme “Turkish Traditions.”

Program highlights include:

NEW BRUNSWICK

Rutgers Day and All Alumni Parade: At 10:30 a.m., alumni join the Rutgers Marching Scarlet Knights, Rutgers cheerleaders and, of course, the Scarlet Knight mascot to march down College Avenue. Rutgers history comes to life with the appearance of characters from our revolutionary past.

Tent of Big Ideas: The School of Arts and Sciences tents on College Avenue and Busch campuses will be destinations for lovers of the arts and humanities. Distinguished faculty will present short, thought-provoking talks on a wide range of topics, including astronomy, politics, energy and more.

The CIRC Challenge: Find puzzle cards at booths throughout the campus, then use the CyberLearning Innovation and Research Center’s augmented reality app to “trigger” actions on the cards, solve the puzzle, receive a prize upon completion and be entered into a grand prize drawing at the end of the day.

RU Day
Guests can enjoy free performances, demonstrations and interactive activities.
Photo: Nick Romanenko / Rutgers University

Ask the State Climatologist: Visit with New Jersey climate experts and find out why we have seen such extremes of late. 

Phenomenal Faraday Physics: This popular show features an exploding hydrogen balloon, a fire extinguisher rocket and a man on a bed of nails.

School of Health Professions Big Tent: The School of Health Professions is celebrating its 40th anniversary with games, giveaways, and great advice for a healthier, happier you.

Marathon Reading of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Visitors are encouraged to listen or join into this continuous reading of Roald Dahl’s iconic work.  

Performances: Rutgers Day features many performances, including choral concerts, bands, belly dancing, hip-hop dance and martial arts demonstrations, as well as shows by the Cabaret Theater and Livingston Theatre Company.

Animals: Learn more about animals and insects though events such as the Farm Animal Showcase, cockroach races and visits with the Mounted Patrol and a horse on a treadmill.

Gardening: Take greenhouse tours and explore the offerings of vegetables, herbs and flowers, including the Rutgers 250 Tomato plantsRutgers Scarlet Strawberry and the new Pumpkin Habanero Pepper, all developed by the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.


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CAMDEN
Community Poem Presented by Writers House: Add a line to a sprawling group poem that celebrates Rutgers and the Camden community and see the completed poem posted online.

Cooper Street Quick Tours: Step back in time with a short stroll to the Cooper Street Historic District.

From the Pine Barrens to the City Centers of South Jersey: Ecology Where People Live and Work: The Department of Biology discusses topics ranging from why cities are hotter than the surrounding areas to how junk food affects ant development.

Build Your Own Interactive Object: Students and faculty from the Digital Studies Center guide visitors through the basics of creating their own interactive, mobile computing device.

Experience Virtual Reality: Play simple puzzle games in a three-dimensional virtual environment.

Make Your Own Rutgers Shield: Personalize your own shields with markers, stickers, stamps and more.

RU Curious about 3-D Printing?: See a 3-D printer in action and take home a 3-D printed Rutgers key chain.

Science, Sleuthing and Sherlock –The Fascinating World of Forensics: Learn how science can solve mysteries and catch bad guys. Be a detective for a day and try out several forensic techniques with the Departments of Biology and Chemistry.

West Indian–Indian Connection Presents “Bollywood Through the Years!”: The students of the West Indian–Indian Connection will highlight their cultural dance with varied music, dress and style.

cupcakes
Rutgers Dining Services offers a display of freshly baked mini-cupcakes.
Photo: Nick Romanenko / Rutgers University

NEWARK
Records at Play: The Institute of Jazz@50: Did you know that Rutgers University-Newark is home to the largest archive of jazz memorabilia in the world? See Miles Davis’s trumpet, along with many other treasures.

Geologic Hazards: Earthquakes and Tsunami: Create mini earthquakes and generate tsunami waves to learn about the forces unleashed by these geologic phenomena.

You Be the Judge! You Are Out of Order!: Bang the gavel, pose for a picture in a judge’s robe and learn more about Rutgers Law School.

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! No! It’s Your Rutgers Super Heroes in Safety Patrol: Meet safety patrol personnel, participate in interactive activities and learn safety information.

Is This Real? Use virtual reality headsets with the latest technology to deliver a total immersion virtual reality experience. Strap on the headsets and be immediately transported to an alternate world.

It’s a Family Affair: Blaze a scarlet trail to the alumni tent with your future Rutgers grad! Show your little ones that they too can be scarlet forever as they pose for fun photos in a Rutgers graduation cap and gown that’s just their size.

Your Baby’s Brain! Calling all baby scientists! Bring your little ones to build sand castles, play with bubbles and make balloon animals while you learn about your baby’s development from the Infancy Studies Laboratory−Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience.

Parking is free in Rutgers lots in Camden, New Brunswick and Piscataway. In Newark, guests can park for free in University Deck I (200 University Avenue), Washington Deck II (166 Washington Street) or Washington Deck III (180 Washington Street). New Brunswick will also offer shuttle buses connecting the College Avenue, Busch and Cook/Douglass campuses.

Rutgers Day is sponsored in part by Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, RWJBarnabas Health and supported by media partners, including New Jersey Advance Media – The Star-Ledger and NJ.com, 1450 WCTC and Magic 98.3. For more information, visit rutgersday.rutgers.edu.


For more information, contact Patti Verbanas at 848-932-0551 or verbanpa@ucm.rutgers.edu