ST. GEORGE — Students, alumni and the Southern Utah community will converge at Utah Tech University for the 110th annual D-Week — the weeklong celebration of history, heritage and traditions that begins Monday, April 8.
Originating in 1915 with the student-led creation of the iconic “D” on the hill, D-Week is said to mirror the camaraderie and spirit of Homecoming while introducing a blend of activities for the spring semester, according to a news release issued by the university.
University alumni director John Bowler noted the event’s rich history and invited all to take part in the annual tradition that has been going on for over a century.
“This celebrates the innovation and trailblazing spirit of the community and the alumni, faculty, staff and students who have come before,” he told St. George News.
Student Sophie Sparks, director of traditions for Utah Tech’s student association, said she is looking forward to the pageant more than anything else.
“I have been working the past couple of months to prepare for the event,” she said. “And I have spent the past couple of weeks preparing with the contestants.”
D-Week kicks off downtown with mascot Brooks’ Block Party on Monday, April 8. Brooks made his debut during D-Week 2016, marking the launch of the Trailblazers’ athletic identity. This street festival celebrates the mascot’s birthday and will feature local businesses, food, live music and art.
On Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m., the Trailblazer Queen Pageant will be held at the Eccles Fine Arts Center’s Main Stage Theater. This pageant showcases student dedication to service, community and academics.
The Days of Giving, held April 9-10, rallies support from the Utah Tech community for a 36-hour fundraising initiative supporting various university projects. Click here for more information.
The Art in the City Tour on Thursday, April 11, will feature select bison statues throughout St. George as the sites of pop-up celebrations and giveaways from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prize details will be announced on the university’s Instagram page @utahtechu.
The Great Race at Greater Zion Stadium, a D-Week tradition since the 1960s, is scheduled for Friday, April 12, at 5 p.m. The event features a relay race that challenges teams of 10 to navigate through a course notorious for its mud pit. The community is encouraged to participate with pre-registration at this link.
Bowler spoke highly of the Great Race and suggested how best to watch the race.
“The Great Race is awesome,” he said. “You’ll need to pick out a spot and watch the three or four things you can see from that spot.”
Also on Friday will be the D-Week Carnival, located at the Encampment Mall, where games, inflatables and food will be offered from 6-8:30 p.m.
The annual painting of the “D” will be held Saturday, April 13, at 8 a.m. and nearly 100 people are expected to volunteer. Breakfast will follow the event to celebrate the freshly-painted landmark. Painting the “D” on the hill is a tradition dating back to 1915, according to the news release.
Later on Saturday, at 6 p.m., the Alumni Awards Ceremony in the Zion Room of Holland Centennial Commons concludes D-Week. The ceremony will recognize the 2024 alum honorees. Attendees must RSVP online.
Bowler said that the measure of success for D-Week comes in the form of those who attend.
“If we have a good crowd at the events, that is success,” he said. “At some events, we have literally thousands of people attend, like the carnival being packed with families and alums and students.”
For additional details on D-Week, visit this website.
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