48th Annual Watermelon Drop Day

The 48^TH Annual Watermelon Drop, UC San Diego’s oldest tradition, will take place June 8 when the “Watermelon Queen,” races up seven stories of Urey Hall and drops the sacrificial fruit into history.

Hundreds of students will witness this annual ritual and try to predict where the farthest piece will land. The goal is to break the 1974 splat record: 167 feet, 4 inches. Following the drop, there will be music, cake, and of course, plenty of free watermelon. It’s the last big event before finals begin next week.

The watermelon will be dopped at noon and optimal viewing is from the sidewalk in front of Urey Hall.

This event started in 1965 when physics professor Bob Swanson asked this question on an exam: “What would be the terminal velocity of a watermelon dropped from the seventh floor of Urey Hall and how far would it splat?"

Elizabeth Huller was the first Watermelon Queen. The first year’s splat measured 91 feet. The terminal velocity of watermelon when it hits the ground is about 112 miles per hour. The record for the splat is 167 feet 4 inches. This event has had an attendance of over 500 in the past.

The public is invited to come watch the watermelon drop.