THON 2018: What You Need to Know

At 6 p.m. on Friday, more than 700 Penn State students will stand up on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center and won’t take a seat for the next 46 hours.

It will be the annual culmination of year-round fundraising efforts for the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, bringing a weekend that is entertaining, emotional and inspiring.

THON 2018 is almost here.

THON first partnered with Four Diamonds in 1977 and since then has raised $146 million for to provide financial support for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Four Diamonds offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover, along with other expenses, so that no family of a pediatric cancer patient at Penn State Hershey has to pay for care. It also makes possible for specialty care providers to be exclusively available for the needs of pediatric cancer patients, and supports cancer research at Penn State Children’s Hospital.

Student organizations also build relationships and provide emotional support for Four Diamonds families, many of whom will be in attendance through the weekend. 

The 46-hour dance marathon has developed many traditions over the years. Musical and dance performances, an annually customized line dance performed throughout the weekend, slides of strength, kids fashion and talent shows and many more activities have come to be expected.

Some of the most popular times at THON include the Saturday night pep rally featuring hundreds of Penn State student-athletes; the final four hours on Sunday, which include Family Hour, where Four Diamonds families share their stories from the stage and the final fundraising total reveal at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Here’s what you need to know about THON 2018.

DONATE

Make a donation to THON and learn more about the organization at donate.thon.org

IF YOU GO…

First thing’s first: If you’re sick, don’t go. With widespread flu activity and recently confirmed cases of mumps on campus, Penn State is urging anyone with symptoms not to attend. Pediatric cancer patients are the most vulnerable to complications and severe symptoms, and the thousands of people crowded in the Jordan Center could cause the viruses the spread even further.

PARKING

Parking is free throughout THON weekend at Stadium West, Jordan East and Porter North lots. Overflow parking, as needed, will be available at the East Parking Deck beginning on Saturday morning.

All parking areas near the Bryce Jordan Center are expected to reach capacity at various times this weekend. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic also will be heavy and drivers in the area of the Jordan Center are reminded to use caution.

You can also take the bus. CATA will offer continuous Blue and White Loop Service from 6 p.m. Friday through 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Several campus parking lots will be reserved in support of THON operations and off-limits to the general public and temporary road closures will be in place on Friday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. Get the full details here.

GETTING IN

The general spectator line will be located between gates A and B of the Jordan Center. Once there, you will go to will call to receive a wristband that’s linked to THON’s digital line management system and then be directed to gate A or B. Before going into the Jordan Center, spectators will go through security screening, including metal detectors and bag searches.

During peak times throughout the weekend, the Jordan Center may reach capacity and will be closed to new entries until enough people leave. If that happens, spectators may still get a wristband and then either text “BJC” to 505552 or go to thon.org/TWupdates. 

‘Both of these options will be updated every hour on the hour if the Rules & Regulations Committee allows a new range of barcodes (displayed on your wristband) into the building. If a spectator’s barcode is within the range included in the update, they will have 45 minutes from the time of the update (the top of the hour that the update occurred) to return to the Bryce Jordan Center and enter through Gate A or B,’ according to THON’s website.

Before heading in, though, there are a few things that are not permitted. No one who has consumed alcohol will be allowed in, and no food or beverages can be brought inside (empty water bottles are OK). 

Only bags the size of a drawstring or smaller (not including purses and camera bags) will be permitted inside and items too large to fit under a seat are prohibited.

Also prohibited: Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives; liquid, excluding sealed bubbles; balloons or inflatables; potentially harmful balls (i.e. baseballs, footballs, etc.); water guns with removable tanks; glitter; silly string; flag poles; animals, including training dogs and emotional support dogs but excluding animals needed for medical reasons; and transportation items (i.e. skateboards, hoverboards, etc.).

ONCE YOU’RE IN

Floor access is only permitted for those who are registered on a THON pass list.

Just as it is for the dancers, there is no sitting for spectators anywhere inside the Jordan Center. Anyone who needs to sit for medical reasons can get a medical wristband from the EMS room across from portal 24.

Also not allowed: saving seats, standing in aisles, standing on seats or passing items between levels.

Sections may reach capacity at times and entry to those areas will not be permitted.

IF YOU CAN’T GO

For the fourth consecutive year, the student-produced 46 Live will offer a webcast through the entirety of THON at https://thon.org/livestream

StateCollege.com and OnwardState.com will have coverage throughout the weekend.

In addition to our websites, you can follow us for coverage on social media
Facebook: StateCollege.com | Onward State
Twitter: StateCollege.com | Onward State
Instagram: StateCollege.com | Onward State

Check our THON page for features and information leading up to THON 2018.