UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The 2020 Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) will be held at the Bryce Jordan Center from 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, through 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23.
As the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, THON raises millions of dollars to fund pediatric cancer research and brings thousands of visitors to the University Park campus each year.
In order to make THON 2020 weekend an enjoyable and memorable experience for all involved, THON has released a comprehensive spectator handbook with information for visitors and community members who plan to attend.
General public entrance and access
Entrance to THON is free and open to the public, and does not require a ticket to attend. Members of the public attending THON will enter the Bryce Jordan Center via the general spectator line outside arena entrance gates A and B.
All attendees will be required to obtain a Digital Line Management System (DLMS) wristband from the Will Call window between gates A and B. The DLMS wristband helps THON volunteers manage wait times and entrance into the BJC, and must be worn at all times inside the building.
Before entry, all attendees must pass through a metal detector and bag check performed by THON volunteers. Consult the list of banned items in the THON spectator handbook when planning what to bring with you into the arena.
All attendees are encouraged to remain standing throughout the entirety of the event. Accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities, and handicapped seating is available behind the information booths located across from each entrance gate into the arena. Additionally, anyone who needs to sit for medical reasons can obtain a medical wristband from the EMS room located across from portal 24 inside the main concourse.
As it is currently the flu season, visitors are urged to use their best judgment when deciding to visit THON. Individuals who are symptomatic are asked not to attend, in order to avoid individuals with compromised immune systems who will be present at the event.
Additional information on the Bryce Jordan Center, including permitted items and the venue’s code of conduct, is available at bjc.psu.edu.
Livestream
Members of the public unable to attend in person will be able to watch THON remotely on the THON Livestream hosted on the official THON website.
Public transportation
The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) will offer extended bus service during THON weekend. The campus Blue Loop and White Loop routes will run continuously for 48 hours from 6 p.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with approximately 10 minutes between buses.
CATA also offers additional routes around State College and across the Centre Region. The Blue Loop and White Loop routes on campus are free to all riders; other routes around the area require a fare.
Passholders and floor access
Certain THON attendees will be granted passes that allow access to the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center during the event. These passes are given out by THON dancers; each dancer is allotted eight passes they can give guests of their choosing. Passholders will have already been notified of their status ahead of THON Weekend, and must bring with them a valid photo ID.
Passholders first enter the BJC through entrances gates A or B and receive a DLMS wristband. Once inside, passholders will approach one of the info booths located across from each BJC entrance. There, a member of THON’s Rules and Regulations Committee will verify your ID and check you into the digital line for entering the floor.
Detailed instructions on the floor entrance and exit procedures are included in the THON spectator handbook.
Parking
Parking during THON is free and does not require a pass, and there are no time restrictions on parking during THON Weekend.
THON parking will be available in various lots near the Bryce Jordan Center, including Commuter Lot Stadium West, Commuter Lot Jordan East and Commuter Lot Porter North. A lot directly outside the Bryce Jordan Center has been reserved for handicap parking.
THON volunteers will be stationed outside each lot to help direct traffic and answer questions. The THON spectator handbook contains a color-coded map of parking lots and detailed driving directions. Additional parking and traffic information for THON Weekend is available from Penn State Transportation Services.
For more information, visit THON.org.