There are trillions of digits in Pi, but for Pi Day Princeton, the annual family event celebrating Einstein’s birthday and Pi Day, all you need to know are the first two—3.14.
The three-day festival begins March 13 and continues through March 15.
Pi Day Princeton, which began in 2010 and draws over 9,000 revelers to town, celebrates the birth of Albert Einstein, who was born on March 14, the numeric equivalent of Pi.
Einstein lived in Princeton for over 20 years, and the town continue s to be home to many of the world’s most respected mathematicians.
Anchored at the Princeton Public Library, this free jam-packed weekend includes a number of pi(e)-themed events, such as a Pie Eating Contest, a Pie Judging Contest, a Walk-A-Pi-A-Thon, Pie Throwing and a Pizza Pi “Top Chef” Competition just for middle school students.
The winner will receive a pizza a month for the rest of the year, courtesy of Princeton Pi.
Other activities include a Pi Recitation contest, an Einsteib look-a-like contest Rubik’s Cube Interactive Demonstration, Mega Chess Champion Demo & Free Style, lectures and book signings by academic celebrities and authors, a Kid’s Violin Exhibition, Pi Day Dinky Train Rides with Einstein and Walking Tours of Einstein’s favorite hangouts, including his hair dresser’s house.
The Princeton Light Up the Night event is new to Pi Day Princeton this year. On March 14 at 8 p.m., Princeton will recreate David Reuter’s 1,000 Fireflies experiment, an interactive art piece in which bicyclists ride with LED lights attached to their rigs.
The first 159 Princeton residents to arrive to the Community Park North Recreational Track will receive free LED lights for their bikes.
Then, as they ride 3.14 miles on the circular track, the lights will synchronize to create an artificial system of blinking lights, mimicking the firefly’s blinking pattern.
At the end of the ride, participants will return their lights to the Princeton Police Department and Princeton University Department of Public Safety who will distribute them to Princeton residents and University employees who commute by bike throughout the year.
On the last day of the event, the Historical Society will hold two Happy Birthday Einstein parties, the Public Library will host the Pi Social & Concert and the Princeton Arts Council will present an original Einstein themed production.
Princeton merchants will also join in the fun by pricing items at $3.14 and hosting their own themed events. Don’t be surprised to see the staff of your favorite establishments dressed as the world’s most lovable genius.
“Pi Day Princeton is just another love story in Princeton,” said Pi Day Princeton founder Mimi Omiecinski. “All the merchants, non-profits, academic institutions and businesses come together to offer the world another ‘quintessentially Princeton’ experience. I encourage everyone to join the town for Pi Day. You don’t have to be a smarty pants to have fun at these celebrations.
“If you’re a brainiac, we really treat you like a rock star but, if you’re like me, and are fascinated by smarty pants, you’re going to be mesmerized the whole weekend. Pi Day Princeton is always a genius event.”
Advanced registration ad early arrival for Pi Day Events are preferred to guarantee participation. For more information, visit pidayprinceton.com.
–Samatha Sciarrotta
