By Neil Schoenherr
April 20, 2001
It's that time of year again. Spring is in the air. The mercury in the thermometer is starting to rise. That can only mean one thing. Cardinals baseball? Well, maybe. But at the University, all the signs of spring point in one direction --the annual Thurtene Carnival.
The event, first conceptualized in 1904, is one of the University's longest-running traditions. It's the nation's oldest and largest student-run carnival.
Nearly a century later, Thurtene Carnival still bears a resemblance to its ancestor, however, the big top has been replaced by sturdily constructed facades, and the crowd at the now two-day event has swelled to more than 100,000.
Admission into this year's edition, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on the North Brookings parking lot, is free but tickets must be purchased for rides and plays. An anticipated 120,000 people will share the spirit of Thurtene this year and help the carnival achieve its charitable goal.
Proceeds will benefit this year's Thurtene charity, Make a Difference Center of St. Louis, which seeks to enhance and enrich the lives of economically disadvantaged children through a combination of academic, recreational and social support services.
Eight themed facades, designed and constructed by students, will house student-performed plays. Other Thurtene traditions include 14 major carnival rides, 16 game booths and 15 booths serving an array of tasteful treats and ethnic edibles. A 15-minute fireworks show will be at 8 p.m. Saturday.
The carnival is presented by Thurtene Honorary members, 13 juniors responsible for organizing the annual event. Members are chosen on the basis of outstanding leadership, character and participation in campus activities.
"Working on the carnival has really been an amazing experience," said Sarah Johnson, member of the honorary. "We're are lucky to have 13 very talented people putting this together, and we think it's going to be a great event."
As has been tradition, the honorary will present awards Sunday for best production, best set construction, best food and best game booth. The Chancellor's Charity Cup, for the student group that raises the most money for Make a Difference Center, and the coveted Burmeister Cup, for best overall participation in the carnival, will also be presented.
The first "Younivee Surrkuss," Thurtene's predecessor, was held in 1907. The seven-hour festival ran much like a real circus and featured sideshows and a main attraction.
General admission was 10 cents, sideshows were a nickel and proceeds went to the University's athletic association. A crowd of 400 made the event a roaring success.
"We encourage everyone to join us at the carnival," Johnson said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."
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