WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)
D-WEEK AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE
St. George, Utah
HISTORY
The roots of D-Week date back to 1914, three years after the college's founding.One of the traditional events during D-Week is the whitewashing of the Dixie "D" on the Black Hill [mesa] on the west side of St. George.
Another annual event during D-Week is the Great Race. The inaugural Great Race occurred in 1971, but it origins can be traced back as early as 1964, as a bicycle race around the Black Hill near the airport. The first official Great Race included such events as motocross, horseback riding, and tubing down the Virgin River. Community growth and safety concerns eventually forced the race to the friendly confines of the DSC campus. In addition to the traditional running, biking, and swimming, Great Racers now have to negotiate, among other things, a slip n' slide track, a roller blade course, a Dixie trivia question, and a mud pit throughout the 10-leg relay course.
D-Week traditionally wraps up with a D-Day Dance followed by the annual "True Rebel Night" event held at midnight at the fountain.
"Celebration of 'D' Century" was the theme for the April 11-16, 2011 D-Week.
PHOTOS
 The Great Race Mud Pit |
 Whitewashing the Dixie "D" |
Photos on the web:
TBD
REFERENCES
D-Week Traditions RememberedDixie State Magazine, Spring 2008
The article on Page 8 describes the beginning and some of the history of D-Week and includes some photos.
D-Week 2016 and 2017 Activities
D-Week 2018 Activities
Dixie State University brings 'The Magic of Dixie' to D-Week
Article in the St. George News, April 7, 2018
Dixie State University celebrates 105th D-Week with activities for campus, community members
Article in the St. George News, April 5, 2019