Everything you need to know about Penn State’s Thon: How to donate, watch, attend & more
A Penn State tradition like no other — the largest student-run philanthropy in the world — is returning Friday for its 50th anniversary.
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, known affectionately as “Thon,” will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday and run nonstop through 4 p.m. Sunday. For 46 straight hours, more than 650 dancers — and countless student volunteers — will stay on their feet inside the Bryce Jordan Center until colorful balloons rain down, signifying the end.
Why? It’s a pretty simple answer, one both the local community and Penn State alumni know by heart: For. The. Kids.
The dance marathon raises money to fight pediatric cancer, with millions every year going toward the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The fund helps pay medical bills for those struck by pediatric cancer while also providing for cancer research.
But, with many patients and survivors descending on University Park this weekend, families impacted by students’ generosity are quick to add it’s not just about fundraising. Families impacted by pediatric cancer are able to meet with football players, host water-gun fights with dancers and play with college students. For many who have grown up around Thon, that support has always acted as a yearly highlight.
Here’s what you should know about Penn State Thon 2022, whether you’re looking to donate, attend or follow online:
How to donate
There are many different opportunities to donate throughout the year. But, in the short term, those interested can donate via credit or debit card on Thon’s official website at donate.thon.org. (Donations are tax deductible, and a $5 minimum donation is required.)
Alternatively, you can also shop at Lions Pride (112 E. College Ave.) either downtown or online, with 20% of the proceeds through Sunday going toward Thon. Just be sure to add the promo online or mention it at the register.
According to Thon’s website, a one-time $150 donation would cover prescription co-pays for one day, $500 would fund art therapy for one week, and $1,000 would fund a dedicated social work team for one day.
Last year, more than $10 million was raised. Since Thon’s creation, more than $190 million has been raised with more than 4,800 families directly helped.
How to follow along, watch online
For those outside of State College, or those who prefer to avoid the crowds, Thon will be streamed live at thon.org/livestream.
46LIVE, a student-run organization supported by the Bellisario College of Communications, will provides interviews, profiles and behind-the-scenes looks for the stream.
A separate interactive livestream will also take place in four one-hour blocks so those online can play virtual games with other spectators. Those interested can log on to the Crowd Entertainment Interactive Livestream from 8-9 p.m. Friday, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Saturday, 4-5 p.m. Saturday and 9-10 a.m. Sunday with the link found at thon.org/thon-weekend/. All ages are welcome.
Those interested can also follow a number of relevant accounts on Twitter that’ll spend much of the weekend inside the BJC — such as the official Thon account (@THON), student publications The Daily Collegian (@DailyCollegian) and Onward State (@OnwardState) and, of course, the Centre Daily Times (@centredaily).
How to attend in person
Whether you’re a longtime attendee or a first-timer, this process has changed significantly — so listen up.
First off, due to university policy, everyone regardless of COVID vaccination status is required to mask up inside university buildings. In other words, if you want to get inside the Bryce Jordan Center, you’ll have to wear a mask for the duration.
Due to COVID cases, all spectators must also either provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test prior to entry. We’ll get into the specifics of that shortly. But a few other things to keep in mind first: Children on active treatment are not allowed to attend — unless given written consent from a treatment provider — but some people with increased risk factors will still be in attendance. Bags, such as purses and backpacks, are not allowed inside. Outside food and drink is also not allowed, although an empty resusable water bottle is permitted.
It’s also important to note that dancers and volunteers have to provide proof of vaccination and proof of a negative COVID test. The outline below applies only to spectators, which don’t normally access the floor level that contains the dancers and volunteers:
Spectators who are fully vaccinated: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination must be shown at the Will Call window (known as the “General Spectator Line”) between Gates A and B at the BJC. A wristband will then be given to the spectator, who will be instructed to stand at one of those gates. Acceptable forms or proof include the physical vaccination card or a picture of the vaccination card — in addition to a photo ID that matches the name on the vaccination card. A picture of a photo ID will not be accepted. (A booster dose is not required, but is recommended.)
Spectators (non-PSU students and employees) who are not fully vaccinated: Must first report to the Visitors’ Center at the corner of East Park Avenue and Porter Road to have their negative COVID-19 test results verified; the results can either be printed out or in the form of an email on your mobile device. (Tests must be performed Wednesday or later.) Valid tests must be from a medical provider or official testing provider and must include patient name, birth date, type of test performed, collection date, result date and result. (Self-administered, at-home rapid tests will not be accepted.) A wristband will then be offered for entrance into the BJC. Limited testing will be available at the Visitors’ Center, primarily for Four Diamonds Families.
Spectators (PSU students and employees) who are not fully vaccinated: Can either report to the White Building for testing — general student and employee spectators are asked to test between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday “to maintain normal operations” — or, if negative results are from a different official testing provider or medical provider, PSU spectators can follow the directions for non-PSU student and employee spectators. All students who test through the White Building will have to wait to receive their results so they can also receive the appropriate wristband for entry into the BJC.
The Visitors’ Center is open 2-8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday (or until capacity is reached). The White Building testing center is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. No test verification will be available outside those hours.
Parking: Parking is free, and the Thon committee does not anticipate running out of parking spots. Spectators can park in Commuter Lot Stadium West, Commuter Lot Jordan East, Commuter Lot Porter North and North Shields Lot. There will be no volunteers that guide parking, and the signs that indicate there is no parking between 2-4 a.m. can be ignored. The general parking lots are outlined in yellow below:
Key events to remember
Unfortunately, Thon does not publicly publish its timeline of events due to “security purposes,” so the CDT has agreed not to publish the specific times. While there will be surprise appearances peppered throughout the three-day event, here’s what to know about some traditional events:
6 p.m. Friday: Thon officially kicks off with the dancers standing. Shortly after, expect the First Line Dance, which is newly created every year “to represent events and significant things that happened.” The line dance will occur nearly every hour throughout Thon, and this will be the very first.
Saturday evening: Four Diamonds children will perform acts on stage such as raps, songs and dances in the annual “Kid Talent Show.”
Saturday night: The annual “Pep Rally” is one of the most popular events of the weekend so, if you want to attend this, you better get there early. Expect to see Penn State varsity athletes — including, usually, the football team’s freshmen — as they compete against one another with fun dance routines. Don’t look away when it’s the gymnastics teams’ turns.
Sunday morning: The “Kids Fashion Show” will feature Four Diamonds Children modeling their favorite outfits onstage.
Sunday afternoon: The highly emotional “Family Hour” includes families’ moving stories of their battles with childhood cancer. The hour culminates in a Celebration of Life video that remembers the children who lost their battles with cancer. Even before that video, there is rarely a dry eye in the audience.
4 p.m. Sunday: Thon officially ends, as dancers collapse to the floor after 46 continuous hours on their feet without any sleep. It’s also at this time that the yearlong fundraising total for Thon will be announced.
