Knox College students celebrated Flunk Day 2017 on Thursday, May 4, with a wide range of outdoor activities, including a zip line, rock-climbing wall, and lawn games.

The day's weather for the traditional all-campus spring surprise party started off as overcast and cool, but the afternoon was sunny and bright, with temperatures reaching the 60s.

The theme of this year's Flunk Day was "Pirates of the Flunk." Giveaways included pirate-themed bandanas and temporary tattoos depicting a skull and crossbones.

Other highlights of the day included an Abraham Lincoln impersonator; a softball game involving Knox students, staff, and faculty; karaoke; and a tug-of-war. The Flunk Day celebration ended with a nighttime foam and dance party presented by Operation Glow, a company created and managed by Matt Klich '15. 

Flunk Day is a Knox tradition that dates to 1922, though student-organized spring festivals on the Knox campus go farther back—to the beginning of the 20th century. The exact date of each year's Flunk Day is always a closely guarded secret, leading to weeks of rumors and anticipation on campus as everyone debates when it will be.

See more 2017 Flunk Day photos on the Knox College Flickr.