Purdue Spring Fest offers fun and learning for all ages

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Children and adults of all ages can participate in many fun, free and educational activities the weekend of April 16-17 at the annual Purdue University Spring Fest.

Spring Fest will showcase those activities on the West Lafayette campus 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Several activities and events are free, while others are fundraisers for clubs associated with Purdue.

Activities include traditional favorites such as the Bug Bowl, the Horticulture Show and Boiler Barnyard.

New activities as well as new food vendors will serve Spring Fest visitors. One highlight is the bike parking and bike tours. Attendees are encouraged to ride bicycles to Spring Fest and park them in the secured bicycle parking area on Marsteller Street. Riders also can take a 30-minute guided tour of the event and the surrounding areas on Purdue's campus. For those interested but didn't bring their bike, adult-sized bicycles from Purdue's bike share program are available during the tour free of charge.

Danica Kirkpatrick, event program manager for the College of Agriculture, said Spring Fest allows attendees to get to know the campus better.

"Spring Fest is a great place to explore Purdue University through fun, educational activities for the whole family," said Kirkpatrick.

Returning attractions that Kirkpatrick emphasized will be in Lyles-Porter Hall, which will be home to four Spring Fest activities April 16. Attendees can navigate an obstacle course set up by the Department of Health and Kinesiology and participate in other activities offered by the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Christine Ladisch, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, stressed the importance on fun and educational activities offered by the college.

"Lyles-Porter Hall clinics and learning laboratories play an important role in preparing the next generation of health care professionals," said Ladisch. "The College of Health and Human Sciences, along with our colleagues from the Indiana University School of Medicine - West Lafayette are pleased to showcase this magnificent facility during Spring Fest 2016."

Programs and activity maps are available online at https://ag.purdue.edu/springfest. Several parking garages and lots are free and open to the public both days. The Purdue Spring Fest website also has parking maps. 

Writer: Chelsea Clodfelder, 765-494-9113, cclodfel@purdue.edu 

Sources: Danica Kirkpatrick, 765-494-9113, danica@purdue.edu

Christine Ladisch, 765-494-8210, ladischc@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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