THON’s upcoming dance marathon will officially be held in person at the Bryce Jordan Center, the organization announced Thursday afternoon.

THON Weekend 2022 will combine a “robust and engaging livestream” with in-person festivities, including 46 hours of dancing. THON said it’s prepared to revert to an all-online weekend akin to THON 2021 should the pandemic’s circumstances worsen.

Anyone wishing to access the BJC’s event level (read: floor) or mezzanine will need to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. That includes…

• All registered dancers
• THON directors, captains, and committee members
• All student and staff press
• All student and staff performers
• All students and staff on a THON Weekend pass list

THON volunteers who aren’t vaccinated can still attend THON Weekend, but they won’t be able to access the BJC’s event level. THON said it will “strongly encourage” attendees to be fully vaccinated to help families, volunteers, alumni, and supports feel as safe as possible.

Penn State and THON will work together to assess vaccination statuses for applicable students, faculty, and staff attending THON Weekend. According to the university’s COVID-19 Dashboard, 83.8% of students and 82.6% of employees across all Penn State campuses are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

All visiting families, spectators, and students and staff will need to wear masks inside the BJC at all times, regardless of vaccination status. Only families whose children aren’t actively receiving treatment can attend THON Weekend in person, although case-by-case decisions will require written consent from treatment providers.

More information on THON’s “comprehensive safety plans” for THON Weekend will be announced in January, the organization said.

THON’s Executive Committee worked with officials at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and Penn State’s COVID-19 Operations Control Center (COCC) to form its safety plan and feel comfortable hosting an in-person THON Weekend.

“While we are so excited to welcome all of our passionate supporters back to THON Weekend, the safety of all in attendance is of the utmost priority,” THON’s Executive Committee wrote in a statement. “Everyone in attendance deserves to feel safe and comfortable.”

Unlike THON 2022, THON 2021 was held entirely virtually. Check out our best features and photos to catch up on what you missed from THON’s first (and, hopefully, only) all-virtual dance marathon. If you want the full experience, scroll through our comprehensive live blog.

THON 2022 will stretch from Friday, February 18, to Sunday, February 20. This year’s theme is “Spark Endless Light”.

We dance in 113!