Mimi and Joy Courtesy of Pi Day Princeton
3.14159265358979… Okay, I admit, I’m not great at reciting Pi, but on March 14, 2012, you’ll get to hear some of the best thanks to Mimi Omiecinski and Joy Chen. These two powerhouses are the organizers of Pi Day Princeton/Geek Freak Weekend for the third year now. Albert Einstein’s birthday is on 3/14 (3.14), a.k.a. Pi Day. Omiecinski and Chen make this the biggest Einstein birthday bash and Pi Day in the world! (In my opinion)
Pi Day Princeton/Geek Freak Weekend has attracted global attention, including a mention on CBS Sunday Morning, a feature in Japan Airlines’ in-flight magazine Skyward, and nominated as the Top 100 Events in North America by American Bus Association. Well, maybe it’s not just in MY opinion that it’s the biggest Pi Day celebration in the world.
“Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.” ~ Albert Einstein
Pie Tasting Contest
It all began with Pi Day in 2010 when Mimi, owner of Princeton Touring Company, decided she wanted to celebrate Einstein’s birthday and invite all of Princeton. She approached Joy Chen of JOYcards and they devised a plan that would sway families to head downtown and spend an afternoon there. The Princeton Public Library played host, and it was a big success, considering the day before was a major storm, just shy of a hurricane!
Geek Freak Weekend 2011 T-Shirts
Last year, the event went from a one day party to an extended weekend celebration called Geek Freak Weekend 2011. Shops and businesses came together to offer special deals. Chen even developed an iPhone app so ‘party guests’ could keep track of the extensive schedule of events! Joy also designed T-shirts, and with the help of Landau’s, who printed the shirts, they were able to unite the community through spirit wear… or shall I say geek wear?
The fun for 2012 kicks off Friday, March 9, 3:14 PM, with events also on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday. Check here for a full schedule, or download/update the iPhone app. This is definitely one party you do NOT want to miss! Below are highlights of what’s to come.
- Free Trolley Tours
- Reenactor Tours
- Pie Eating Contest
- Dinky Rides with Einstein
- Birthday Parties for Einstein
- Sock-Hop with live music by Pi Fight
- Pie Throwing (Event benefits 101: a non-profit which assists PHS graduates in need of financial assistance for college)
- Suzuki Violin Contest (Youngest winner receives $314.159 courtesy of Coordinated Wealth Management)
- Mathlete Contest (Youngest winner receives $314.159 courtesy of Pi Day Princeton)
- Pi Recitation Contest (Youngest winner receives $314.159 courtesy of MacLean Agency)
- Einstein Look A Like Contest (Youngest winner receives $314.159 courtesy of Princeton Chamber & CVB)
- “Uranium & Peaches” dramatic performance
- Pi Deals from Merchants
- Pie Judging Contest (50 first-come first-appointed residents will be judges this year!)