After a damp and chilly start to April, Fords awoke this morning to a sun-drenched Founders Green where hundreds of colorful pinwheels shimmered and spun in the breeze. The first really beautiful day of spring meant only one thing… Pinwheel Day had arrived.
Under bluebird skies, campus came alive as students, faculty, and staff shrugged off the stresses that accompany the end of the academic year to revel in the College’s most whimsical tradition. By 11 a.m., Founders Green was marked with a patchwork of picnic blankets, flying frisbees, and large clusters of Friends — and pooches — soaking in as much sunshine as possible.
The beloved Pinwheel Day, an eagerly anticipated campus tradition for more than two decades, is always a surprise. The exact date is a closely guarded secret, leaving most of the community scouring weather forecasts in an attempt to identify the most likely day. It’s organized by a group of students known only as the “Pinwheel Fairies.” Their mission is a simple one: herald the change of seasons by transforming Founders Green into a sea of spinning colors.
Pinwheel Day’s charm lies in its surprise and the sense of community it fosters. While its origins may remain cloaked in secrecy, its impact is highly visible. Pinwheel Day is a moment to step away from routine, take a breath of fresh air, and celebrate the moment that spring finally arrives.
Photos by Patrick Montero and Paola Nogueras.
