Saturday, February 17 was marked as a day of significance for the class of 2001. In celebration of graduating in 100 days from that day, voluntary members of the senior class marched from campus downtown to the Rueb for a night of drink specials, entertainment, memories and class bonding.

Students bought bracelets for the event an hour before the march began. At four o'clock in the afternoon, the seniors were escorted by the Northfield Police from the door of Buntrock all the way down to the Rueb. Like a parade, marchers were allowed to take up one lane of traffic. Along the way, the seniors were greeted with waves from children in passing cars. In addition, several store owners along Division Street came out to wave their support.

The upstairs of the Rueb was where most of the celebration took place. Drink specials were in effect all night long. In addition, Katnapping took the stage from 4-6. Karaoke provided entertainment from 6-9, and from 9 until one in the morning several seniors put on a DJ-style dance.

Throughout the night, over half the senior class was estimated to have participated in some part of the event. According to senior Erika Backberg, "People really let loose after about 9:00. The crowd thinned and the video cameras and pictures would tell a story that not many would remember of that night. It was our first whole class bonding event. A lot of unfamiliar faces and some familiar roamed the Rueb the evening of February 17."

In addition to the many memories shared by the seniors, the event also had meaning. "We're close to entering the real world and leaving the great times of the Hill where 'cows, colleges, and contentment,' Malt-O-Meal, and great friends we have found at Olaf will never be replaced. College is a time and a place and that makes it an irreplaceable experience," said Backberg.

The 100-day march is not an official St. Olaf event. One or two seniors each year take on the responsibility of organizing it.

The tradition of the 100-day march has been carried on for decades. The earliest found record documenting the event was a poem written by a senior after the event and published in the February 24, 1967 issue of the Manitou Messenger. An excerpt of the poem is as follows, written by Tessa Lie: