The Cal Poly Pomona Foundation plans to turn University Park into a tropical paradise, complete with a mechanical shark, as a way to celebrate the university community’s return to campus.
The foundation’s 33rd Annual Hot Dog Caper is Thursday, Oct. 6. The event, which beckons students, faculty and staff to come together to enjoy free hot dogs, chips, popsicles, drinks and entertainment, will include live music and a performance by the Polynesian Paradise Dancers.
During the event, guests can get their pictures taken at two photo booths, get an airbrush tattoo, ride the mechanical shark, pet Arabian horses and win prizes. Attendees can also sample craft sodas from Innovation Brew Works and new breakfast items from the Poly Trolley. AT&T, Samsung, Kellogg House and Matt’s Run also will have booths during the event.
Every year, a team of over 300 volunteers, including administrators, staff and athletes, sport their Hot Dog Caper T-shirts to pass out free food and drinks. Last year, Hot Dog Caper volunteers served 16,392 hot dogs and veggie dogs, 12,380 bags of chips, 14,112 beverages and 8,776 popsicles.
The Hot Dog Caper is made possible through foundation’s partnerships with Cal Poly Pomona, Pepsi Beverages Company, Associated Students Inc., Facilities Planning & Management, Hoffy, First Class Vending, Intercollegiate Athletics, AT&T and Samsung.
The Hot Dog Caper is just one of the many ways foundation, which opened its doors in 1966, and campus partners give back to the university. Over the past 50 years, the foundation has given millions of dollars to the university to fund numerous campus programs, scholarships and infrastructure.