Campus & Beyond Dragon Day Marks its 125th Anniversary, in Roaring Style Stories You May Like Happily Ever After: Tips from Alums on Keeping the Love Alive MBA Alum Wins Runoff Election to Become Mayor of Miami How Cornell Became Home to the World’s First Outdoor Electric Lights A photographic look at the celebration of this year's mighty beast—an abstract creation that allowed admirers an interior view By Beth Saulnier Photography by Devin Flores, Jason Koski & Ryan Young On the Hill, the truest sign of spring isn't tulips or daffodils—it's a gargantuan creature designed, built, and propelled by first-year architecture students. And this year's Dragon Day beast was a historic one: it marked the 125th anniversary of the iconic event, which traces its roots to a St. Patrick's Day celebration organized by none other than Willard Straight 1901 during his senior spring. As per tradition, the behemoth was transported through campus to chants of Dragon, dragon, dragon! Oi, oi, oi! Dignitaries on the parade route included Provost Kavita Bala ... ... and Touchdown, sporting his own official event shirt. It faced off against—and did symbolic battle with—a phoenix built by freshman engineers. And as in recent years, a glittering silver unicorn (made by physics students) also made an appearance. As always, few details about the dragon were disclosed before the big day, though AAP hinted that it would be based around the theme “veiled.” The guest of honor proved to have a stripped-down design, with translucent black material stretched over a frame of orange-colored wood; its curvilinear head sported an intimidating set of chompers. Few details about the dragon were disclosed before the big day, though AAP hinted that it would be based around the theme “veiled.” In a novel offering, once the dragon reached the Arts Quad, parts of its body flipped open to become a tunnel—allowing admirers to file through its exoskeleton. Eventually, of course, it met the fate of its predecessors in being destroyed. Modern environmental regulations, however, require that it's no longer burned, but merely disassembled. Here's a photographic tour of Dragon Day 2026! Propelling the Beast Dragon on Parade An Energetic Crowd Stories You May Like Happily Ever After: Tips from Alums on Keeping the Love Alive MBA Alum Wins Runoff Election to Become Mayor of Miami Costumes Galore Phoenix & Unicorn A Look Inside Published March 30, 2026 Comments Karen, Class of 1972 5 Apr, 2026 Wow and Wowee!! what a spectacular creation…. and such joy in it’s parade and many facades…Congrats to you all!! Reply Alexandra Fairfield, Class of 1978 6 Apr, 2026 I fondly remember Dragon Day and I am so happy this tradition continues! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Cornelliana What Does Cornell Mean to You—In Five Words or Less? Cornelliana Once Upon a Time, Canines Cavorted on the Hill—Even in Class Campus & Beyond From Halting Cancer to Protecting Soldiers, Big Red Research Is at Risk