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In the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 17, the much-anticipated fox made his annual springtime appearance on Tars Plaza, signaling that one day a year when classes are cancelled and the campus heads outside to enjoy a day-long dose of vitamin D.

Daybreak to sunset, Tars savored every second of fun in the sun. From paddleboarding on Lake Virginia to the barbecue feast on Mills Lawn, here are a few of our favorite moments from Fox Day 2024.

It all started when President Grant Cornwell rolled out the beloved fox statue onto Tars Plaza at daybreak on Wednesday morning to let everyone know that the day in store was going to be too pretty for business as usual.

Everyone has their own way of celebrating their excitement for Rollins’ favorite tradition.

As is customary, students noshed on donuts on Tars Plaza before deciding whether to head to the pool, set off for the beach, or jump in the lake.

On Fox Day, it’s all about working on your tan and catching up with friends on America’s most beautiful campus. Whether it was joining in the activities on Mills Lawn, lazing by the pool in Lakeside, or heading to the beach, which is just an hour from campus, students made the most of their day in the sun.

This year the campus activities included body-painting, yoga on the lawn, woodcrafting, and even building your own fox plushie.

Thanks to Rollins’ prime location on Lake Virginia, getting out on the water with friends is as easy as grabbing a paddleboard, canoe, or kayak to launch right from the campus dock. And there’s no better day than Fox Day to try out your skills.

Nothing caps off a day spent soaking up the sun quite like a picnic. The annual Fox Day feast on Mills Lawn was full of fresh watermelon and favorite comfort foods like burgers, barbecue chicken, smoked sausages, and mac-and-cheese.

With Fox Day 2024 now etched into the Rollins’ history books, it’s now just 360-ish days and counting until that sneaky fox declares that it’s ditch day once again.

• Fox Day