Zachary Worstell
zdw001@marietta.edu
Marietta College celebrates 50 Years of Doo Dah Day! Doo Dah Day celebrates its’ birthday on April 20th, 1974, as in the spring of 74′ Glen Mello had an idea that Marietta needed to celebrate the arrival of spring and to give students a chance to blow off steam before finals. His idea went all the way to the Dean of Students and the Student Life Board. Although, to pitch his idea the organizations required Mello to create a name for the event. Hence, he elected to borrow his roommate’s nickname, Dave “Doo Dah” Gibson. After their approval Doo Dah was born. While Mello first thought Doo Dah Day would be a one-time thing, his tradition has continued for half a century.
The Pioneer Activity Council held a Doo Dah Day Spirit Week in anticipation for the celebration. On Monday a gift card scavenger hunt was held where twelve hearts were hidden around campus. Each heart had a corresponding prize. On Tuesday Marietta celebrated its sport’s teams by having a jersey day across campus. Wednesday was similar on as the full campus showed their school colors by wearing navy blue and white. To round off spirit week PAC held bingo in the Gathering Place on Thursday at 6 p.m.
This year, the Pioneers went all out to celebrate the Doo Dah Day tradition as the music from the DJ Booth could be heard across campus from the Harrison Lawn. The fun began at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and lasted well into the night. Food such as a Kona Ice Truck, a grilling station, a milkshake station, and a taco bar were provided. A beer garden was made available for those over the age of 21. For entertainment an inflatable jousting station and battle axe center were created as well as a mechanical bull and a face-to-face climbing wall. PAC held a Stuff a Plush booth along with an area for string art and various lawn games like cornhole, disk golf, and so much more.
Be sure to come by next year as the Doo Dah Day tradition continues at Marietta. Students, faculty, staff, and families are all welcome to join the festivities, let loose, and celebrate! You don’t want to be the only person not there as Mello said.
“Doo Dah will be everywhere: in the streets, in the trees, on the buildings, in the sky,” Mello proclaimed.
