As the BJC awaits the arrival of dancers, spectators, and THON families, the air inside is a little hazy. Looking around the arena, smoke emitted from a few machines set up around the bottom of the spectator areas has taken over the atmosphere.

There are about four smoke machines stationed around the BJC with fans set up in front of them in order to move the smoke around the large area. Perhaps the haze will clear out when 15,000 people get here, but for now the smoke is overwhelming. It’s even made its way from inside the area and out onto the concourse.

It remains unclear precisely why THON has their smoke machines cranked up to 11, but surely if people are breathing it for 46 hours straight, they’ve made sure it’s safe.

Photo: Jack Lukow