As Winter slowly turns to Spring in Madison, students can look forward to one of UW–Madison’s most beloved traditions. All-Campus Party (ACP) is the nation’s largest cost-free and alcohol-alternative campus celebration, and it is returning to campus this Spring!
Every April, the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) and WASB team up with student organizations, businesses and national corporations to sponsor All-Campus Party. The week-long event celebrates the end of the school year, onset of spring and enthusiasm of the campus community.
All-Campus Party has been a beloved UW–Madison tradition since its debut in 2001. WASB alumni John W. Jung is credited with conceiving and helping coordinate the first ACP. While planning All-Campus Party 2001 Jung said, “We were looking to create a program for the entire university; something that would cater in some way to everyone’s interests.”
Carolyn Munley and Mahee Patel showing off their Bubbler’s at All-Campus Party 2021.
While several things have changed about All-Campus Party since 2001, the WAA and WASB have carried the same sentiment in planning every ACP for the past two decades. When asked about the goals of All-Campus Party 2022, co-director Parker Callender said, “Our goal this year is to create more events and have a broader outreach. So that one, there are more opportunities to get involved for a lot of different students. And then secondly, so that more students feel inclined to participate in events.”
This year will mark the 21st All-Campus Party, and it will be the first in-person ACP following two years of virtual events. WASB are incredibly thrilled to be able to continue existing traditions while also building new ones. With over eight different events throughout the week, our ACP team is working hard to bring the campus together in a safe yet interactive way through our events: Bucky’s Urban Odyssey, Breakfast with Bucky, Badgers Chalk the Block, Bucky’s Raise for Red, RedTalk, Day of Service, Mad City Sessions, Lake Street Bash, and ALPs Day of Play.
Jack Madison and Hannah Davidson at All-Campus Party 2019.
One event that has been revamped for 2022 is Mad City Sessions. The event seeks to highlight the talents of UW Madison students by giving them a platform to perform. When asked about the changes for 2022, Mad City Sessions co-chair Allison Keeley said, “This year, we decided to change the format that Mad City Sessions had followed previously. These changes included adapting to an online format, creating "tiny desk concert" videos of student performers. This year, we had the lovely Diego Benitez and Game Theory as our acts. We look forward to them performing at Lake Street Bash this April!”
With a wide range of campus events, there is something for everyone to enjoy during All-Campus Party. Whether it is starting off your week with free breakfast or showcasing your creativity at Badgers Chalk the Block, you are bound to have a great time. Lately, life has been all about celebrating the little things and ACP is the best way to do so. After a year of stillness, we are elated to bring ACP back to campus once again!
This year All-Campus Party 2022 is expanding in collaborations so much that the party will continue from Sunday, April 24 through Sunday May 1. For a list of events, dates, and times, head over to our All-Campus Party Website.
Written by Zach Schumacher (he/him)
Marketing Chair