THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSIT Y OF PENNSYLVANIA G FLINGIND AROUN S THE IVIE
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FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014
PEACE LOVE FLING
Fling was born in 1973. In 1976, concerts replaced square dances. Over the course of the decade, the event evolved to include such attractions as candy underpants eating, wet T-shirt and jockey shorts contests. BY FOLA ONIFADE Staff Writer This year’s Spring Fling theme of peace, love and f ling takes students back to when it all began.
1973
The first Spring Fling was held on April 21, 1973, as a revival of the Skimmer Day carnival-style tradition. Skimmer Day, which had been suspended in 1963 due to alcohol policy violations, was a celebration of the University’s rowing team and marked the beginning of spring.
1974
The second Spring Fling was much larger. Due to weather conditions, a square dance was held in Houston Hall and was the “largest dance the University ever held.” After a weekend of crowds, fun and dance, Fling organizers reveled in the success of the weekend and the establishment of a new University tradition.
1977
Fling of ‘77 was a “multiple arts bazaar” that included more types of crafts than in previous years. Jewelry, pottery, woodwork and photography were just a few of the newly added types of art. Buttons with photographs and puppets were also available for sale and everything was “geared towards a student budget” of $15 to $20.
1978
New events were created by the Fling Committee to give students greater involvement and “create a circus atmosphere.” Perhaps the most bizarre was the Candy Pants Eat-Off, which consisted to two team members — an eater and an “eatee” wearing candy underwear. Other contests included wet T-shirt and wet jockey shorts contests and the Ivy League Twit of the Year contest.
1975
For SPEC, it’s a hard day’s Fling BY KRISTEN GRABARZ Staff Writer Spring Fling’s food, carnival and concert don’t appear out of thin air. Multiple branches of the Social Planning and Events Committee have been hard at work all year, planning and preparing for this weekend’s Fling attractions and events. The past week has been the final stretch of preparation. “The week before Fling is all about tying up loose ends. That includes everything from posting signs to preparing our committee members for their weekend roles,” College and Wharton sophomore and Spring Fling Committee co-Director Derek Standlee said in an emailed statement. Responsible for multiple attractions, including the Quad carnival, the Spring Fling Committee manages set-up and recruitment of food vendors. On Friday, set-up in the Quad will begin at 6 a.m., when committee members will set up tents, finalize the stage set-up and transform McClelland into the focal point of Fling operations. Security also moves into place, and food vendors arrive to begin cooking early in the day. “It’s a hectic process,” Standlee said. Spring Fling committee members also took a shopping trip to BJ’s this week. SEE FLING PAGE 6
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Arts and crafts were prominent during the Fling of ‘75. Artists primarily from Philadelphia, but also from all over the East Coast congregated in the Lower Quad to sell their work. The purpose was to get more creative people involved with the Spring Fling festivities.
1976
Three years after the official start of Spring Fling, the first official large concert was held. Blues artist Taj Mahal performed in the Quad and offered Penn students “a close alternative” to Woodstock , The Daily Pennsylvanian wrote. At this time, the concert was free for all Penn students.
1979
In 1978, costs totaled to about $12,000. In 1979, Quad officials wanted the Spring Fling closing concert moved out of the Quad or $8, 000 in advance for future damages. At the last minute, the Student Activities Council frantically sought to secure the Quad or River Field, according to a 1979 DP article. While SAC hoped to continue the outdoor tradition, an indoor concert at the Palestra was the only option due to the lack of security on Hill Field. SAC secured the Quad after negotiates were made to hire more personnel and get portable bathrooms, but was required to have a canopy due to forecasted weather conditions. ■
Courtesy of The Record
WHAT’S BETTER THAN $1 FLING TANKS?
Yolanda Chen/News Photo Editor
Sophomores lined up for $1 “Peace, Love, Fling” fling tanks yesterday by the high rises, an event organized by the 2016 Class Board in preparation for Spring Fling this weekend. Students stood in a line that extended from the entrance of Harnwell College House to Harrison College House in anticipation of the fling tank sale.
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