The Ferris State University Student Government Association, organizers of The BIG Event, have been closely monitoring anticipated poor weather conditions forecasted for Saturday, April 14. Student organizers, in close communication with the Ferris administration, have made the difficult decision to cancel The BIG Event due to anticipated rainy, icy and cold weather.

As a result of the 2018 cancellation, organizers of The BIG Event plan to reach out to all community members who signed up to have their properties served by Ferris students.

“We’re obviously very disappointed to have to cancel The BIG Event. We want to ensure everyone this difficult decision was made after careful consideration and considerable conversation,” said Bryanna Harlan, the 2018 director of The BIG Event. “We truly understand the importance of The BIG Event, in the Big Rapids community, and what it means to our students, faculty, staff and other volunteers who have made this the major community-service project it has become. The health and safety of our students is important. That safety factor played a major role in making the decision to cancel as we looked at the unfavorable weather conditions headed our way.”

Due to scheduling conflicts and other prior commitments, no makeup date will be scheduled for 2018. However, The BIG Event, the largest, student-run community service project in the state of Michigan, is expected to return in Spring 2019.

“We’re committed to returning The BIG Event, next year's date is already scheduled for April 13, 2019 and we know students will be excited to participate in this great tradition of giving back, to the Big Rapids community, through volunteer service,” said Bobby Gill, the 2018-19 Student Government Association president. Previously, The BIG Event was postponed, in 2013, due to poor weather conditions.  Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Student Government office at (231) 591-2611 or visit The Big Event – Ferris State University Facebook page.