The University of Rochester is not just any ordinary school. While many students are dedicated to their studies, the Yellowjackets are always excited to start new traditions and continue on with older ones.
Continue reading to find out more about the events at the University of Rochester that you should add to your undergraduate bucket list!
✅Meliora Weekend
Usually taking place the first weekend of October of each year, the University welcomes back alumni from all class years back to campus. In addition, this weekend doubles as parents weekend as well. Students have the opportunity to show their families around the campus and also take part in the festivities. On the Wilson Quad there is always a Ferris wheel. Yes, that’s right we get a Ferris wheel on our college campus. There are also food tents, food trucks and a lot of giveaways. During Meliora Weekend each class year receives a different spirit item. By senior year, students have collected all of the items in order to graduate. There are many guest speakers or artists who perform -this remains a Yellowjacket favorite because alumni can return to participate each year!
✅Dandelion Day (Springfest) & Winterfest
Similarly to the Meliora weekend events, the University also hosts a Winter and Spring Festival. Winter Festival takes place over a weekend and is hosted by the Student Activities Board (SAB). There are giveaways and other events to help students get engaged with the festivities. The spring activities fair also takes place during this weekend and gives every student the opportunity to get involved with more organizations than beforehand. Spring fest also includes fun giveaways, food trucks and even a concert! Each year the SAB hosts a guest artist to perform a concert for students. Spring fest takes place on the last Friday of April so the weather is usually warm and sunny!
✅Boar’s Head Dinner
Another event hosted by the SAB includes the Boar’s Head Dinner. Students wait hours in line to receive their ticket for this event. The dinner holds so much history and Rochester tradition. Students have the opportunity to host a faculty member at their table so this is a great time to engage the students and faculty in tradition together. At the dinner held in the Feldman Ballroom, students are served a few courses of food, resembling a Thanksgiving feast. In the center of the room their is a boars head. Groups such as the juggling club perform to entertain the guests. At the head of the room sits the Deans of the University, and members of the SAB. Towards the end of the ceremony, a guest faculty member reads a poem about the tale of the Boar’ Head. This is a must do item while studying at Rochester!
✅Lilac Festival
The Lilac Festival is not a University of Rochester specific tradition, but it is a city of Rochester favorite! Located at Highland park, about a five minute drive from the River Campus the lilac bushes are in full bloom in the middle of May! Many people go to take pictures of and admire the lilacs or to enjoy the festival with music, food and other festivities. This is a must see Rochester event!
✅Performances and Art
The University of Rochester offers many different performances hosted by art groups on campus and at the Eastman School of Music. The Eastman School is a top ranking music conservatory and University of Rochester students have a lot of opportunities to watch their performances at the Kodak Hall. This is a grand concert hall in which music students perform for the community. Often, many shows offer a student discount on the show tickets. On the River Campus, there are various a cappella groups, dance groups and theatre groups. The shows for these organizations take place once a semester. It is a great opportunity for students to cheer on their peers whether they are performing at the Strong Auditorium, Sloan Auditorium, or Kodak Hall.
This is just one list of a few things to do while at the University of Rochester. Whether it is riding the Ferris wheel on the quad during Meliora Weekend, enjoying the historical Boar’s Head Dinner, or sitting in the audience of a vocal performance, every student should check these items off of their bucket list!