Over 15,000 people participate in THON each year, between Four Diamonds Families, committees, orgs, clubs, parents, friends, family and spectators, not to mention the 708 people dancing. With people following along all over the world, it’s safe to say there are a lot of people who love THON. Unfortunately, the BJC can’t hold everybody, and many more can’t make it up for the weekend. If you aren’t there in person, you can enjoy THON plenty from the comfort of your own home.

Follow along with our THON 2015 Live Blog

We have a list of every post we’ve published, both during and leading up to THON. Take a look at our photo albums, dancer interviews, and org profiles. You can even watch the live stream of the entire event as it happens.

Do the Line Dance

This may require some actual physical activity–so bear with me–but you’ll be in the nice confines of your own room so you shouldn’t be complaining. All you have to do is get out of bed, tune into the THON live stream, learn the lyrics and moves and get dancing! If you don’t feel like being alone,  invite a couple of friends over to do it with you. Just a bunch of buddies dancing in your dorm together having a good THON time, living the dream.

However, if you’re in a particularly lazy mood, you could just stay under the covers and do the hand motions. It might not be a dance per say, more like a bunch of flailing arm motions while laying in bed, but at least you’re trying. Participating in every remaining Line Dance this weekend will really make you feel like you’re in on the action.

Dress for the Occasion

Everyone knows it wouldn’t be THON without the impressive array of colorful and interesting clothing. From neon colors to tutus to awesome costumes, you can always tell when someone is coming back from THON by what they are wearing. What you’ll need to do is pick a color, preferably a color that stands out well–even though you won’t be seen by anyone–like a neon orange, yellow, green, or pink. Shorts are the popular choice to go with it, as well as your most comfortable and supportive pair of sneakers.

Along with your bright outfit, a noticeably high pair of socks, and of course a tutu. Tutus are not just for the girls: Guys, don’t be afraid to rock the manliest tutu you can find. It’s a THON tradition.

If you don’t have any of these articles of clothing, but you do have a great costume just lying around, that will work too! Any costume from a banana to a superhero, even the state of Maryland’s flag–yes, that’s a thing–will work, as long as it gets you into the THON spirit.

Blast Your Favorite THON Tunes

What better way to enjoy THON than blasting the music from the BJC straight into your living room? Its very simple. All you have to do–speakers may help with this one–is turn your volume all the way up, ignore the neighbors screaming through the walls telling you to keep it down, and just sing it out. Sure you may get some visits from the police about noise violations and such in your neighborhood at 6 a.m., but at least you were rocking out to your favorite THON tunes. They’ll understand.

If you do not want to upset the neighbors, you can always just plug in your headphones, but where’s the fun in that?

Decorate THON Style

Setting up a THON-esque atmosphere in your room could be something that will take a little bit of planning to pull off. Some things that would be obvious are Four Diamonds decorations, random Greek letters, beach balls, maybe some baby powder. If you have one available, I highly recommend a fog machine. One of the first things people notice about THON is how much fog fills the floor. Even though you may not be able to see much, it would really help with the whole atmosphere thing. Maybe get some cardboard cutouts of your friends’ heads, some inflatable animals, and perhaps even your very own R&R committee member to yell at you if you sit down, and you’ll be in the THON spirit in no time.

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No matter where you are, there are always plenty of ways to enjoy THON. Whether you’re at the BJC or in bed, you can still feel like you are a part of the action, and cheer on the dancers as they dance 46 hours for the kids!