Dia kicks off Tuesday

The exotic petting zoo, present at last year’s Diadeloso, will return for this year’s festivities.
File Photo
The exotic petting zoo, present at last year’s Diadeloso, will return for this year’s festivities.  File Photo
The exotic petting zoo, present at last year’s Diadeloso, will return for this year’s festivities.
File Photo

By Rebecca Flannery
Staff Writer

Tuesday marks Baylor’s annual holiday and everyone’s favorite excuse to wear tank tops: Diadeloso.

The festivities kick off at 9 a.m. with Zumba on Fountain Mall and the Baylor Fun Run which will include foam, paint and an obstacle course. It all ends after the free concert at 7 p.m., featuring the musical duo, Nico and Vinz, in Waco Hall.

Free tickets for the concert will be available for pickup during Diadeloso at the SUB ticket office.

Brentwood, Tenn., junior Kellie Fawcett said she’s most looking forward to the activities in Fountain Mall and the food trucks coming to Baylor’s campus.

“The food vendors were my favorite part of Dia last year,” Fawcett said. “Also, I’m pumped for the exotic pets to come back.”

The food truck vendors will be scattered along Fountain Mall during the day. The Vanilla Bean Bake Shoppe, Dave’s Burger Barn, Co-Town Crepes, Lard Have Mercy, The Mix STREETeats and Kona-Ice will all be in attendance, according to the Diadeloso website.

Magician and mentalist, Max Major, will make a reappearance this year, as well as the exotic animal booth. Included in the exotic animal booth could be hedgehogs, ferrets, skinny pigs and hairless rats, according to the Critters Exotic Pets website.

“This is my third year performing at Dia and it’s something I look forward to every time,” Major said. “I’ve been working for the past six months on a new interactive show so I’m excited to debut it at Baylor.”

Major said his show this year will require the help of some in the audience, who he will transfer his mind-reading ability to so they may read each other’s minds.

“I really want people in the crowd to take the spotlight,” Major said.

Other attractions include a carnival put on by several student organizations and performances in the SUB Bowl starting at 10 a.m.

Teams signed up prior to Diadeloso will be competing in basketball, bowling, sand volleyball, tug of war and ultimate Frisbee throughout the day.

Registration can be completed on the Diadeloso website at www.baylor.edu/diadeloso/.

A full schedule of events can also be found on the website.