Experience the magic of spring at this year’s Spring Fest

Purdue to offer family-friendly activities at annual event

From the plant sale to the legendary Bug Bowl, featuring the Cockroach Colosseum and honey tasting, the 2024 Spring Fest will offer an array of vibrant, interactive activities suitable for all ages on Saturday, April 13.

The annual festival, a free and inclusive event open to all, is set to take place in 36 sites on campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This seasonal celebration will span the College of Agriculture buildings and grounds, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Memorial Mall. Community members and students are invited to participate in immersive activities that cover a range of subjects, including science, technology, engineering and the arts.

2023 Cockroach Colosseum , opens larger image Entomology professor emeritus Tom Turpin entertains 2023 Purdue Spring Fest guests at the Bug Bowl’s Cockroach Colosseum.

“Spring Fest is a great way for people of all ages to engage with the College of Agriculture, as well as other colleges, departments, centers and student activity organizations through hands-on activities and cultural experiences. It’s a fun way for students to interact with the community while showcasing their educational pursuits.”

- Amy Winger, event coordinator

Pocket guides containing a map and list of activities will be available at the information booth located at the corner of Mitch Daniels Boulevard and Marsteller Street. Some of the activities include:

Attendees coloring at a 2023 Spring Fest booth , opens larger image Attendees coloring at last year's Spring Fest, one of the many interactive, family-friendly activities available at the annual event.

Spring Fest will also present Canstruction, a capstone project for students in the College of Education designed to spark creativity while making a meaningful contribution to the local community. Students will create structures using canned goods collected from parents and donors, demonstrating their artistic talents and their dedication to philanthropy. Doubling as a food drive, all cans will be donated to Food Finders Food Bank after Spring Fest, helping the organization support Greater Lafayette residents.

In tandem with Spring Fest, Purdue will be hosting the 16th annual Purdue Challenge 5k run/walk, supporting the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, and Purdue Aviation Day.

Free event parking is available in the Marsteller Street parking lot, Discovery Park Lot and the Wood Street Parking Garage. Additionally, paid parking is available at the Harrison Street Parking Garage.

For additional details, including activities, demonstrations and reading lists, please visit the official Spring Fest website. 

Featured Stories

Man measures trees in forest.
Prototype forest growth model demonstrated for Peru application

The U.S. Forest Service invested decades of work and tens of millions of dollars to develop a...

Read More
A maple syrup producer looks out over his processing equipment.
Researchers Seek Maple Syrup Producer Feedback with New Survey

Researchers are working to scale up the green production of maple syrup in the Central Hardwood...

Read More
A man with glasses looks through a microscope in a laboratory, illuminated by contrasting blue and red lighting.
Fly’s eye opens window into important biological processes

The eyes are the window to the soul, according to an old saying. But Purdue University’s...

Read More
A young Geriann Albers holds a coyote pup; Albers holds a red-winged blackbird; Albers holds her Chase S. Osborn plaque.
Meet Geriann Albers: 2025 Chase S. Osborn Early Career Award Recipient

For her contributions to and impact on wildlife management in the state of Indiana, Geriann...

Read More
From left, lab members Jieun Woo, Dekun Cheng and professor Weicang Wang look under the sterile hood of their lab at a petri dish.
How do PFAS affect gut health?

PFAS have been shown to increase risks to immunity, reproductive health, developmental delays,...

Read More
Senior Isaac Johnson sprays invasive species, conducts midstory control and stands next to a tree he felled during his summer as a Forestry and Natural Resources intern.
FNR Field Report: Isaac Johnson

Senior Isaac Johnson, a forestry major with a concentration in forest management, worked as an...

Read More