Hail and tornado warnings caused Dance Marathon to reschedule its annual Kickoff Celebration.
Nicole Martinez, the public relations overall chair for DM, said the extreme weather caused the event to be postponed to 5 p.m. today on Hume Field.
The kickoff celebrates the arrival of the main event on April 13 and 14, according to the release. Dance Marathon is a 26.2-hour event benefiting the patients of Shands Hospital for Children at UF.
Martinez, a 21-year-old UF advertising junior, said the kickoff will not lose any of its impact. Texas Roadhouse will still be catering the event. She said the bands Big Time and No Irie confirmed they will still be performing. However, she’s not sure if there will still be bounce houses because Hume Field does not have as many electrical outlets as Flavet Field, the previous location.
“I don’t think it matters what day it’s on,” said Paul Cancel, a 20-year-old UF accounting sophomore and DM theme staff member. “It’s about the cause behind it.”
The morale staff will still conduct a 26.2-minute stand in honor of the families and children affected by serious illnesses, according to a press release.
Diana Baxter, a 21-year-old UF microbiology senior and Greek chair for Donate Life, said she’s glad people won’t have to take part in all the activities in the rain. In the long run, she said she thinks today will be better because of the nice weather.
