Students will hang out in trees today.
From 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the UF Hammock Club is hosting its first official Plaza of the Americas Takeover. The club hopes to take over the plaza and cover it with hundreds of brightly colored Eagles Nest Outfitters and Grand Trunk hammocks, said Douglas Tam, the club’s president.
"We want people to be able to walk up to another hammock and connect with people," the 21-year-old first-year pharmacy student said.
Tam said the idea for the event came from the success of a few unofficial Spring and Summer events, which introduced people to the club. The group was founded this Fall.
Tam said he’s expecting a lot of students to hang up their hammocks on the plaza’s trees because it’s an opportunity to spend time with friends and relax outside.
"We want to see a true community come out of the club," he said. "That is part of our vision."
In addition to bringing hammocks, Tam encourages students to bring lunch, blankets, footballs and homework.
UF business and theater freshman Julie Anne Christmas said she will share or borrow someone’s hammock while she works on her "What Is the Good Life?" class essay.
"It’s kind of like the grown-up version of a swing set," the 18-year-old said.