From seeds planted 91 years ago as the Purdue University Horticulture Show, Spring Fest continues to grow and blossom as one of the most popular of all campus activities.

This year, about two dozen schools and departments offered more than 100 free activities. Although admission is free and no official attendance records are kept, an estimated 40,000 visitors participated in Spring Fest activities April 17-18.

"As a campus event, Spring Fest seems to get bigger each year," said Danica Kirkpatrick, Purdue Agriculture events and educational activities coordinator. Spring Fest 2005 will be held April 16-17 at locations ranging from the Memorial Mall to the School of Veterinary Medicine, and from the Agricultural Administration Building to Lilly Hall.

Photos by Tom Campbell

To Riley Kastens, 5, agriculture is as soft as a day-old duck.

This tree at Spring Fest was full of buds and kids, like Emily Morren, 5.

Astronaut Jerry Ross shares his NASA movies with the rapt Spring Fest crowds

Nathan Sparger (left) and TJ Wycoff urge their goldfish toward the finish line by blowing bubbles in the water.