With Reunion behind us and summer quickly fading, classes will soon begin and K-Day is just around the corner.
Today’s image takes us back to K-Day 2009, when the event was still held at McLain State Park. Whether it was the excitement of outdoor activities, the chance to meet new friends, or simply enjoying the beautiful surroundings, K-Day is a cherished tradition that has always been a fantastic way to kick off the semester and build community among students.
As we look forward to this year’s K-Day on September 6, we’re reminded of how K-Day has left lasting impressions on many of us. What were your favorite K-Day moments? Do you have any advice for incoming first-year students? Share your stories in the comments!
Why are all the looking back articles about recent times, not really looking back.
K-Day Traditions really need to include the real tradition of blowing the whistle on campus, classes called off, and everyone finding a way to Ft. Wilkins at Copper Harbor.
K-Day let students get to really see the Keweenaw Peninsula, especially Freshmen. This is what happened in the 1960’s. I don’t know when it was changed, but McLain State Park doesn’t sound like a real K-Day.
K-Day 1961 was my, Carol Ann Schroeder Wait (1964), first date with my husband of 60 years. In those days K-Day was held in Copper Harbor and finding transportation was a challenge. My date, Don Wait (1963), had a friend with a car. Every car was packed like a circus clown car and ours was no exception. You really get to know each other in such close quarters. Few places in the world are as beautiful as the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Fall and that date was the beginning of our long and rewarding life together.
They still have it at McClain SP? What I remember from ‘79 was the biggest bonfire I’ve ever seen, diving off the lighthouse, and 10 guys paddling a driftwood log in water so cold it made your legs ache. 1000’s of people.
In “my day” K Day was held at Fort Wilkins & you had to hitch a ride with someone to get there. Part of the fun was exploring back roads with whoever was driving. One time we were on an abandoned grassy “street” like a tiny abandoned town. I think a couple of the buildings were used as people’s camps. Nearby was also the entrance to a mine or tunnel or something that a couple kids went into, but not me after all the warnings about that.
Back in the day (’72 -’75), there were 3 days announced as potentials, Wed, Thu or Fri during the last week in September or first week in October. The first of those days that looked to have good weather prompted a noon whistle for class cancellation. No one knew exactly when it would be and that was part of the excitement. For many, it was their first exposure to the greatness and beauty of the Keweenaw on the way to Ft Wilkins.
During that decade, the drinking age had been reduced to 18 so one can imagine the extra partying AND stress put on the affair. I’m pretty sure that one too many alcohol related incidents & car accidents prompted moving it to McLain (drinking age was restored to 21 in 1978). Looking back, reducing the drinking age was not a good 7 year experiment for Michigan & several other States. Still, K-Day at Ft Wilkins was always a great time (for most everyone).
It looks like it is presently always scheduled for a Friday afternoon in early September with no fall colors. It is more like a fair for registered student organizations. Why even call it K-Day anymore?