On Thursday, Oct. 3, the 36th annual Hot Dog Caper hosted by the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation will transport you into a different galaxy. The event will take place in the University Park where students can enjoy food, drinks and entertainment from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The annual Hot Dog Caper is an event held at the beginning of every year to provide free hot dogs, drinks, frozen treats, chips and entertainment contributed by numerous sponsors such as Associated Student Inc. (ASI), Broncos Athletics, Pepsi, First Class Vending and other campus partners.
Are you someone who doesn’t eat meat? Well, the Hot Dog Caper has you covered. The event also serves veggie dogs for the vegetarians and vegans on campus.
This year’s caper is spaced-themed, where the school will be taken to a world far from your classes and studies once in the University Park.
The Cal Poly Pomona Foundation has revitalized the Hot Dog Caper by not only having a unique theme but also adding even more entertainment this year for students, staff and faculty to enjoy.
“This year’s Hot Dog Caper will feature a live band, balloon twisters, airbrush tattoo artists, a photo booth, an inflatable obstacle course, stilt walkers (and) a few visitors from a galaxy far, far away,” said Arielle Torrez, the marketing development coordinator for the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation.
This special tradition is a way for the school to say welcome to new and returning students, faculty and staff back to the new school year.
“The Hot Dog Caper is just one of the many ways the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation and campus partners give back to the university,” Torrez said.
The Cal Poly Pomona community really shows its appreciation with the overwhelming attendance at the caper.
Last year, over 12,000 hot dogs and veggie dogs were given out to attendees by the hundreds of volunteers from the administration, staff and athletic department.
At this event, many students use the opportunity to grab a free bite to eat and create a closer relationship with the entire Cal Poly Pomona community.
“Like in a family, food brings us together and knits a close relationship,” said Tera Esve, a third-year computer science student. “With the Hot Dog Caper, it is a way for the campus to have a strong-bonded community. This is probably one of the rarest times where most of the university is gathered in one spot.”
A majority of upper-division students still looks forward to the event despite the multiple times they have attended.
“I like the Hot Dog Caper,” said Ryan Peacock, a fourth-year sociology student. “It’s a good way to bring the whole school together and eat. And a good way to interact with people of different majors and backgrounds, too.”
The affair is a great way to meet new friends and classmates as well as interact with your professors outside the classroom. Everyone is invited to enjoy the free festivities on Oct. 3 with the entire campus.
For more information regarding this year’s Hot Dog Caper and to watch a video of the 2018 Hot Dog Caper, visit www.hotdogcaper.com.
