Placed under lock and key in Rawling’s dorm, thousands are waiting to be released.
For the next three weeks, students will be gathering in the Rawlings bathrooms from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. in hopes of filling 140,000 water balloons.
The Inter-Residence Housing Association will host a water balloon fight Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. on Flavet Field to raise breast cancer awareness.
This is the second time UF is hosting an event of this kind.
Microsoft set the world record in Australia at the Xbox 360 launch with about 2,849 participants and 51,000 balloons.
UF fell short in October 2008 by 300 people.
The University of Kentucky broke the record in August with an estimated 119,411 balloons and 3,902 people, according to “The Guinness Book of World Records.”
UF junior Roderick Clelland, whose mother struggled with breast cancer, is a participant.
Throwing water balloons gets people to come out and show their support for a disease that Clelland said could affect anyone.
“Rain, shine or Armageddon, we’re going to be out there throwing balloons,” said Sheldon Clark, the event’s marketing director.
This year, Clark aims at having 140,000 water balloons with at least 5,000 participants. The record will be recorded by a witness of the community who is of high standing.
“This year, we pushed the event to February so we can have time to make it better,” Clark said. “If everyone gave $1, then we can raise at least $5,000 or more.”
Natalie Hyman, director of the water balloon fight committee, said IRHA is within the standards of UF’s sustainability program because the sprinklers on Flavet Field will be turned off several days before and after the event.
Donations will be collected at the event and all proceeds will be given to the American Cancer Society.
The event will also feature a student-run carnival.
Guest speakers will include breast cancer survivors and members of the American Cancer Society.
Hyman said the event will cost IRHA’s budget about $3,000 and is free and open to the public.
“Breast cancer is something that affects so many people, and this is a fun way for people to come out and give money to help with a cure,” Hyman said.
