Classes Cater to Kids Since Reunions Became a Family Affair

One of Violet Dutton’s earliest memories about Reunions is telling her kindergarten teacher why she couldn’t wait to attend.

“I was trying to explain to her, ‘This is the best time of year,’” Dutton says with a laugh. “I was so excited to go in the bouncy castles and walk in the P-rade. And, of course, the free popcorn.”

This May will mark Dutton’s 18th Reunions in a row, having attended every year with her parents, Peter ’91 and Susan ’94, and her younger brother, Everett. Dutton, now a high school junior, even served as one of the children’s activities chairs for her mother’s 30th reunion last year.

Dutton is not alone in her enthusiasm. Kids make up a significant number of participants at Reunions: Last year alone, more than 2,000 minors received wristbands, according to Mibs Southerland, director of Reunions in the Alumni Engagement office who has worked on Reunions for 20 years. This number does not even reflect the many additional babies and children who attend only daytime activities (and thus are not registered), she adds.

The tradition of Princeton Reunions evolved from the practice of alumni returning to the College of New Jersey to attend Commencement, gradually morphing into a family-friendly affair. The crowds of revelers expanded significantly in 1969, when women were officially allowed to participate in the P-rade.

According to the University’s tallies, the children’s age group with the most attendees is 7 to 11, clocking in at over 700 last year. The next most populous group includes ages 6 and under (over 600), followed by 12 to 15 (nearly 450), and 16 to 20 (nearly 300). The 25th reunion has, on average, the highest number of affiliated children, followed by the 20th.

“Our 20th was the first time we brought all of the kids, and they loved everything from the tent activities to the children’s library at Firestone,” says Debra Hays ’04. She specifically noted the P-rade, the fireworks, and playing with other kids at her eating club, Colonial, as highlights for her three boys, ages 6, 9, and 11.

These activities, along with Dutton’s beloved bouncy houses, are just some of the kid-friendly programming typically offered at Reunions. For their 25th reunion three years ago, the Class of 1997 hosted a science show, magician, puppet show, face painting, and balloon animals, as well as games such as Pop-A-Shot, the arcade-style basketball game. The class even brought in a local summer camp to run dodgeball, tag, and other field games — which, even though they were cut short due to rain, were probably the most popular activities, says José Pabón ’97, who served as a children’s activity chair for that reunion.

Last year, the Class of 2004 developed kids’ activities that corresponded with its reunion theme, “JurNassau Park,” such as a live reptile and amphibian show and a dinosaur scavenger hunt. This year, the Class of 1970 is sponsoring a children’s performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf by the American Classical Orchestra in Richardson Auditorium on Friday, May 23.

Most classes work hard to provide activities that appeal to all ages. Dutton notes that as she has grown up, she has found different activities appealing. For example, in the past few years she’s enjoyed attending lectures — specifically, physics demonstrations — and she caught a Triangle Club show last year. She has also been enjoying listening to the cover bands in the tents at night.

“I love being in the courtyards now,” she says.

Another highlight for kids at Reunions is the opportunity to dress up in orange-and-black and tiger-themed costumes — ears, tails, T-shirts, and more. And as Southerland put it: “It wouldn’t be Reunions without the creative and playful children’s apparel inspired by major reunion themes!”

It also wouldn’t be Reunions without a bevvy of sweet and savory treats available at every turn. Popcorn, for example, is ubiquitous — and a crowd favorite.

“Something else I got, which everyone loved, was cotton candy and a snowcone/ice truck,” says Pabón. “Reunions is hot, and crushed ice with sugar is a hit.”

Bill Ambler ’88 noted his daughters, now 9 and 12, regularly look forward to the ice cream truck at the end of the P-rade each year — despite the often long line.

“I think other kids should go to Reunions,” concludes Grace Bordonaro, 8, who attended her mother’s — ahem, this writer’s — 20th last year. “They have face painting and all sorts of kids’ stuff. Some parts of Reunions are kind of crazy, but it’s also really fun.”

For those alumni planning ahead for next year, register your children in advance of Reunions to receive Tiger News Kids Edition, which highlights family-friendly fun on campus. All children’s programming — as well as information about the YWCA’s daycare program, called Tiger Camp — can be found at reunions.princeton.edu/kids.