Lady Liberty

Lady Liberty Returns to Lake Mendota

We're hoping the weather cooperates so that you can take your photos with Lady Liberty this year!

Dates:

Friday, 2/10: 4 PM - 7 PM
Saturday, 2/11: 8 AM - 10 PM

History

The Statue of Liberty tradition began with a prank in 1979 by the Pail and Shovel Party, which was led by UW-Madison alumni Leon Varjian and Jim Mallon ’79. Varjianand Mallon made a campaign promise that, if elected to the Wisconsin Student Association, they would bring the Statue of Liberty to Madison.

After a successful election, the Pail and Shovel Party stayed true to their Lady Liberty promise by erecting a Styrofoam Lady Liberty head, arm and torch on Lake Mendota Feb. 22, 1979.

The Wisconsin Union team continues that tradition with an inflatable version of the Statue’s head, arm and torch.