Grossmont College Keeps a Secret: What World Record at Open House?

As part of its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, Grossmont College is hosting a two-day open house Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14. The event is a free, family friendly festival, and is being offered as a showcase of the school's place and prominence in the community. 

Dozens of interactive displays, informational seminars, and musical performances will be featured, along with youth sports clinics held by Grossmont coaches, and showcases of innovation and technology by various educational departments at the college.

“It’s unprecedented how the college is opening its doors for this community open house," said Rick Griffin, of the Office of College & Community Relations. "It’s an outstanding opportunity for high school and middle school student to experience college. The variety of hands-on, interactive demonstrations and exhibits in really impressive.”

The biggest event happening on Saturday is the school's attempt to set a world record. The specifics of the world record attempt have been shrouded in secrecy, but guests are encouraged to come out and participate in the attempt, which will happen at noon.

“The reason it is being kept secret is to build some anticipation," said Griffin. "What we’re doing is certainly something that can be done in public. It’s not earth-shattering, but I can tell you that we need 1,468 people. That’s how many people we would need to set the world record. It’s a numbers and activity world record.”

On Saturday, the school gates open at 9 a.m. and the celebration lasts until around 2 p.m. Highlights of the day inlcude the department fair, where all departments are open and will offer guests a chance to visit and find out what innovative things are being taught at the college.

No matter what your interest, from music lovers, foodies, dancers, amateur scientists, artists, CSI fans, poets, fitness and health devotees, theater lovers, techies, gamers, and math whizzes, there will be something for you at the festival.

Some of the highlights of the department fair include:

Tips on Baking with Chocolate
Location: Building 60, Pastry Classroom 170
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Learn from the award-winning Chef James Foran.

Dissect a Sheep Brain
Location: Building 30, Room 208
Time: 10 a.m.
Dissect and learn about Physiological psychology.

Video Gaming Competition
Location: Building 60, Gaming Zone Lounge
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m., 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Demonstrations of video games designed by Grossmont College students including 3D Max Animations and Utility Game Engine making. All skill levels welcome.

Observing the Sun
Location: Building 34
Time: 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Get a unique look at the sky through the rooftop telescope.

Poetry SLAM!
Location: 55 Quad
Time: 12:30 pm - 2 p.m.
Grossmont College's first Poetry SLAM is open to students and faculty, community members, and high school students. Poets will perform their original work which will be judged on a numeric scale by previously selected members of the audience to determine a Grossmont College Grand Champion.

Back to the Future Interactive Photography Exhibit
Location: Building 20, Room 103
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m., 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Take a step back in time at the Photography Department's historic photo shoot. Dress in 1960's clothing and accessories from the Theatre Arts Costume Shop before you pose in front of a large-format historic photo from the Grossmont College photo archives. Free prints of your photo ready in 5 minutes!

Also on Saturday, guests will be treated to a Food Truck Festival, which will feature 13 different popular food trucks from around the county. See the full list of food trucks here.

Frank Anthony, the public address announcer of the San Diego Padres, will emcee the world record attempt. Anthony, a and Grossmont College alum, will also be on-hand to sign autographs and greet guests at the Walrus 105.7 FM booth.

On Friday, at 7:30 p.m., there will be an old-school Sock Hop Dance in the school's gymnasium, which is open to all ages. There will also be various performances from Grossmont musical groups, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Griffin said that the open house is a chance for people to see what a tremendous resource they have in their own backyard.

"And for taxpayers, it’ll be nice to see what they’ve been footing the bill for the last 10 years,” he said, in reference to Proposition R, the $207 million facilities bond measure that was passed in 2002 by East County voters in response to severe space shortages at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. Of that $207 million, Grossmont received $107 million, which has allowed them to construct nine new buildings on campus.

The last of those buildings, the Student and Administrative Services Building and brand new will be dedicated at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with a flyover of vintage planes from Gillespie Field.

Griffin said the school doesn't know how many people to expect, but hopes that people take advantage of the chance to see how much the campus has changed since it first opened in 1961.

"It could be 400, it could be 4,000. We just don't know," Griffin said. "I do hope we can get at least 1,468, though!"

For more information on the open house, and to see the complete comprehensive list of activities, visit the Grossmont College website.