Forecast Calls for a Rainy Rutgers Day, But the Celebration Goes On
Many programs and activities are shifting indoors because of the wet weather predictions for Saturday during the university’s flagship event
The organizers behind Rutgers Day won’t let the threat of rain dampen the university’s big celebration.
The premier event at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, set from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, is shifting many events to indoor settings on Busch campus in Piscataway, N.J., and the College Avenue and Cook/Douglass locations in New Brunswick, N.J.
“We wish the weather was more cooperative, but for the safety and comfort of all our visitors we will bring many of your Rutgers Day favorites to indoor locations in a fun and festive atmosphere,” said Patricia Kastner, associate director of strategic events and programs for Rutgers Communications and Marketing.
Here’s an overview of what’s changing (and what’s staying the same) for Rutgers Day activities. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Rutgers Day web page:
Busch
Many programs at this campus of health and science in Piscataway will be held indoors, including:
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The Health Village – activities and demonstrations focused on Rutgers Health programs and other health-related initiatives – will be held in the gymnasium of the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center, 656 Bartholomew Road.
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Other programming, such as Rutgers Business School events, will be held in the Busch Student Center, 604 Bartholomew Road.
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Stage performances also shift from outdoors to the Busch Student Center.
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Engineering programs will be held in the Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering, 500 Bartholomew Road.
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The Faraday Physics Lecture, a popular, humor-charged demonstration and talk for children of all ages, begins at 2:30 p.m. in the Physics Lecture Hall at 120 Frelinghuysen Road.
College Avenue
In New Brunswick, Rutgers Day programs will be split between the College Avenue Gymnasium, 130 College Ave., and the College Avenue Student Center, 126 College Ave.
Children and families also are welcome at the Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick (College Avenue). Stop by for a variety of activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a scavenger hunt, drop-in art making and tours of exhibitions and permanent collection galleries, which are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other changes for Rutgers Day on College Avenue include:
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Stage performances now will be held in the College Avenue Student Center.
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The “R” garden – an art installation made of 3-D Rutgers “R” sculptures that is a Rutgers Day staple (and a fun photo opportunity) – and other programming will be located on the Morrell Street plaza.
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The performance by the Rutgers marching band is canceled.
Cook/Douglass
The biggest change? The New Jersey Folk Festival is postponed.
As for other events at the Cook/Douglass location, major changes include:
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Ag Field Day programs presented by the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, will still take place but most of the programming will be moved to the Cook/Douglass Recreation Center, 50 Biel Road, and the Cook Student Center along with other programming.
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The animal shows will take place at the barns on College Farm Road.
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The plant sales will still take place.
The Football Game? Yes, It’s Still On.
The annual Scarlet-White Game, a preseason scrimmage between members of the Rutgers football team, is still happening at SHI Stadium.
Pregame festivities include the Rutgers Boardwalk on the field, featuring free rides, free games and free prizes. The game, which airs live on the Big Ten Network, kicks off at 2 p.m., with gates opening at 1 p.m. Parking and admission are free.
