How to Have a Blast at Maryland Day
Meet an Astronaut, Pick Up Freebies, High-Five Testudo and Terp Athletes, and More
Fishing for plastic terrapins in ODK Fountain on McKeldin Mall is a yearly tradition for children who attend Maryland Day. UMD's all-campus open house will be held Saturday, rain or shine.
Photo by Riley N. Sims
Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience on Saturday at the University of Maryland’s annual open house. Whether you want to touch down with an engineering grad who spent nearly eight months conducting science experiments in space, get your favorite Terps jersey signed by student-athletes or just enjoy a scoop of Dairy ice cream, Maryland Day has a treat for you.
A diminutive weightlifter hoists a prop barbell at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, a bustling center of Maryland Day activity. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)
Tens of thousands of community members are expected to explore more than 400 free events across campus. Name one of the Campus Farm’s new calves, who will be out on McKeldin Mall. Brace yourself in the Wind Tunnel, where companies have tested cars, helicopters and even an Olympic bobsled. Try out musical instruments at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. And this year, you can even track Testudo on the interactive Maryland Day map to try to snag a selfie with UMD’s beloved mascot.
Here are a few of this year’s highlights:
An Astronaut Touches Down in College Park
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., A. James Clark Hall
Flight engineer Jeanette Epps M.S. ’94, Ph.D. ’00 will talk about her journey from Ford to the CIA to NASA, the unique research she conducted last year aboard the orbiting laboratory, and what it was like to live in zero gravity. A few lucky Terps will could get a chance for a meet and greet.
100 Years of Cows, Pigs and Sheep
All day, Ag Day Avenue
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources this year will mark the centennial of Ag Day, honoring UMD’s roots as the Maryland Agricultural College, with live music, a display of Ag Day memories and memorabilia, and plenty of animals, from lambs and pigs in the livestock show to horses starring in an equestrian show to service dogs in training. The Equestrian Club will hand out free samples of the Maryland Dairy's Ag Day Centeni-YUM specialty flavor, featuring a vanilla base with red raspberry swirl and brownie chunks.
Take Home a Page-Turner at the Terp Book Fair
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center
Shop for Terp-penned titles from the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series by Jeff Kinney '93, cookbooks by Joy Bauer ’86, and award-winning bestsellers from Elizabeth Acevedo MFA '15 and Jason Reynolds '05, and create your own colorful bookmark to take home. Then, chat with local authors like Nasozi Kakembo ’05 of “The African Decor Edit” or Brooke Foster ’98 of “Summer Darlings.” Register in advance to win a bundle of books.
A “Sweet” Day for Sports Fans
10:30-11:30 a.m., McKeldin Mall
Buzz Williams
Meet the new Terps men’s basketball Coach Buzz Williams, as well as members of the women’s basketball team who reached the Sweet Sixteen! The first 300 people who line up starting at 10:20 a.m. on McKeldin Mall will receive a special Maryland basketball autograph card.
Terp superfans will have even more opportunities to wave their pom-poms on Maryland Day. Catch the annual Red-White Spring Football Game at noon at SECU Stadium, followed by an autograph session, then hop over to cheer on Terps baseball and softball, both with games at 2 p.m.
Patches of Pride
All Day, McKeldin Mall
Rock the red, black and gold all day—and add to your collection of Terps gear. Be one of the first to buy Maryland pride-themed UMD apparel at the Champion pop-up store on McKeldin Mall. With any purchase, you can access the Champion Patch Bar to pick up even more state flair (crabs, anyone?) and have it added for free to your fleece or tee.
Rubik’s Cube Challenge
All Day, McKeldin Mall
If you’ve never cracked one of these 3D puzzles, stop by to learn from tutorials by the UMD Rubik’s Cube Club. Or if you’re feeling speedy, challenge club members to see if you can beat their times. Either way, get a chance to take home a Maryland Day-branded Rubik’s Cube to keep improving at home.
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