The White Building became a painted palace yesterday afternoon as members of the 13 captain committees and organization members revisited their favorite childhood fairy-tales and stories for “Once Upon a THON,” the 13th annual THON Family Carnival.

The gym gave Four Diamonds Families the opportunity to get “sorted” with Harry Potter, attempt to win one of Willy Wonka’s elusive Golden Tickets, and take funny group photos in front of a green screen. Each booth had activities and crafts that appealed to different age groups, insuring that everyone in attendance had a great time.

An estimated 80 families made the trip to State College for the carnival, an event that Public Relations Overall Jony Rommel described as “one of the main highlights of the year for not just the families, but the captains and Overall Committee as well.” For some, this was not only their first event of the 2011 THON season, but their first THON event ever. The Family Carnival provided them with insight of just how energetic and crazy THON weekend will be come February.

The day ended with a Pep Rally that featured dance group Orchesis, the Singing Lions, members of the Penn State Cheerleaders and Blue Band, and of course the reveal of the 2011 Logo.