UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The 2022 Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) will be held at the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC) from 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, through 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20. As the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, THON raises millions of dollars to fund childhood cancer research for Four Diamonds each year.
After being held in a virtual format in 2021, THON Weekend will take place in-person this year, with new COVID-19 protocols in place to support the health and safety of all dancers, families, spectators and volunteers.
All Penn State students or staff who wish to have access to the event floor or mezzanine level — including all dancers and THON volunteers — are required to be fully vaccinated, as previously announced by THON. All dancers and THON committee volunteers are also required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test dated Feb. 16 or later. Additionally, only Four Diamonds families whose children are not undergoing active cancer treatment will attend THON in person.
Spectators who plan to watch from the stands inside the BJC are required to present either proof that they are fully vaccinated or a negative COVID-19 test to gain entry to the venue. Masking will be required for all individuals while inside the BJC, regardless of vaccination status, consistent with the University’s COVID-19 guidance.
A THON Livestream will be available throughout the weekend for the benefit of those who are unable to attend in person. Community members can also tune into a television special being produced by 6ABC (WPVI-TV) in Philadelphia titled “THON - 50 Years For The Kids,” which will air at 7 pm. on Saturday, Feb. 19 on WPVI, WTAE in Pittsburgh; AHTM in Harrisburg; WNEP2 in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, WATM in State College, Altoona and Johnstown; and WABC in New York City.
Additional information for individuals planning on attending THON can be found online in THON's spectator guide.
Vaccination or testing requirements for spectators
All spectators attending THON Weekend inside the BJC are required to provide either proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, or proof of a negative COVID-19 test administered no earlier than Wednesday, Feb. 16 at an official testing center. Photo ID is also required for all spectators, and the name on the ID must match the name displayed on either the proof of vaccination or the COVID-19 test results.
Proof of vaccination may be displayed at the BJC upon time of entry. However, individuals who obtain a negative COVID-19 test must have their results verified to obtain an entrance wristband before travelling to the BJC.
A COVID-19 booster is not required to meet vaccination requirements, but at least two weeks must have passed from the date of an individual’s final vaccine dose to be considered fully vaccinated, per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The University strongly encourages all eligible community members to obtain a booster shot, regardless of their planned attendance at THON.
Where to obtain a test
For individuals who are not fully vaccinated, COVID-19 tests must be administered by a medical provider or official testing center to qualify for entry into the BJC. Self-administered, at-home rapid tests will not be accepted to gain entry to THON.
Tests performed at commercial pharmacies — such as CVS or Walgreens — will be accepted, provided the test is administered on Feb. 16 or later. The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains a list of both commercial testing sites and public testing sites.
Individuals who are Penn State students or employees are eligible to receive testing at Penn State’s testing site at the White Building on the University Park campus, which offers same-day results. Students and employees who plan to test at the White Building to qualify for entry into the BJC are asked to do so on Friday, Feb. 18, to minimize impacts to the testing center’s normal operations.
The White Building testing site will have extended hours leading up to THON Weekend. The testing center will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, through Friday, Feb. 18. The center will also be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19.
How to obtain an entrance wristband after testing
Individuals who obtain a negative COVID-19 test must display their negative test results at either the White Building testing site or the Penn State Visitors Center to obtain an entrance wristband before travelling to the BJC. Individuals who are fully vaccinated are not required to obtain an entrance wristband ahead of time.
Penn State students or employees who test at the White Building should wait at the testing center for the results. Students and employees will be given an entrance wristband by testing center staff once their negative results are available.
Individuals who obtain a test from another provider should take their test results and photo ID to the Penn State Visitor Center, located on the corner of Park Avenue and Porter Road on the University Park campus, to have their results verified and receive an entrance wristband.
The Visitors Center will be open for testing verification from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19; and from 8 a.m. until noon, or until BJC capacity is reached, on Sunday, Feb. 20. No test verification will be available outside these hours.
For individuals who are unable to locate or obtain a test in advance of THON Weekend, limited testing will be available at the Visitors Center during the same hours as testing verification. However, availability is not guaranteed, and all interested spectators who are not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to attempt to secure testing through alternative means.
Masking required
All individuals attending THON are required to remain masked at all times while inside the BJC, regardless of their vaccination status. Individuals are urged to wear well-fitting, multi-layered masks in accordance with the latest University and federal guidelines.
Additional information about THON’s COVID-19 protocols are available on THON’s website and at this list of frequently asked questions. Individuals planning on attending THON can also consult THON's online spectator guide.
Penn Staters who are unable to attend in-person are encouraged to join the event virtually though the THON Livestream.