Reunions 2024 FAQ: How Could Construction and Protests Disrupt Festivities?

If you’re planning to attend Reunions this year and are wondering what you should do and eat, how to traverse campus amid the construction, and if the recent protest activity at Princeton will have an impact, PAW’s got you covered. We’ve anticipated some of your questions and broken down this year’s event below.

What are the can’t-miss events?

Classes celebrating major and minor reunions have full schedules planned with meals, service projects, activities for kids, and entertainment including bands, drag shows, and even a screening of an Academy-Award-winning short documentary about Princeton. Find the details in our Class by Class Highlights guide here.

Nearly two dozen Alumni-Faculty Forums on Thursday and Friday will cover a diverse range of topics, from navigating AI to tracing Princeton’s history to PAW’s panel on student mental health, which will be hosted by Lucy McBride ’95 in Thomas Laboratory at 2 p.m. on Friday. Get the full listing of events here.

The P-rade steps off Saturday at 2 p.m., and Reunions fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. at Princeton Stadium.

How will construction affect Reunions?

With construction dominating much of campus — from Poe and Pardee Fields to the Art Museum to the forthcoming Hobson College — you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the current campus map and information about parking and campus shuttles, found here.

This year’s P-rade route has been tweaked, as the traditional end site is currently inaccessible. (Poe Field is closed for infrastructure improvements for stormwater detention and the University’s geo-exchange heating and cooling system.) Instead, the Old Guard’s tent and the reviewing stand will be along Elm Drive, directly across from Bloomberg Hall, and marchers can exit by either continuing south along Elm Drive, toward the golf cart return at Lot 20, or turning left to march between the construction zone of Poe Field and New College West and Yeh College.

The construction poses extra challenges for those who have mobility disabilities; for tips from fellow alumni, check out Access For All: Navigating Reunions with a Disability.

How might protests affect Reunions?

The pro-Palestinian encampment established on Princeton’s campus in late April disbanded in mid-May. However, the protesters’ parting message concluded with, “See you at Reunions.”

It’s unclear what protest activity, if any, will transpire this weekend, but Jennifer Morrill, a spokesperson for the University, told PAW via email that Princeton “always develops contingency planning for large events.” The University would not disclose details on security protocols or staffing. 

Morrill also said that the number of Reunions-related inquiries from alumni this year “is not significantly more than in other years and is largely regarding routine matters unrelated to the protests.”

Charles Krank ’74, Reunions co-chair for his class, told PAW that planning has thus far not been affected by the potential for protests, and that he is trusting and hoping things work out “for all constituencies, including the Class of 1974!”

What will the weather be?

As of Monday, the forecast predicted: scattered thunderstorms with a high of 84 degrees on Thursday, scattered thunderstorms with a high of 81 degrees on Friday, mostly cloudy with a high of 76 degrees on Saturday, and partly cloudy with a high of 72 degrees on Sunday.

Where should I eat?

There’s always old favorites like Conte’s and Hoagie Haven, or you could check out some of the new places in town with PAW’s guide to new restaurants here.