At exactly 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, members of the University of Iowa Dance Marathon stripped their sweaters and coats — revealing a sea of lime-green T-shirts — and dominated the Pentacrest in a surprise flash mob.

This event was one of several taking place throughout the week as part of Lime Days, Dance Marathon’s recruitment week.

This annual event began in 2011 in an attempt to get more students interested in participating in the Big Event in February.

Events this week began on Sunday; they include a family picnic, a balloon release in Hubbard Park, and on Thursday a meet-and-greet with families will be held in the IMU.

The third annual Dance Marathon 5K will take place on Oct. 6, in Lower City Park.

This year will mark the 20th Dance Marathon Big Event. Last year’s event raised $1.53 million for children cancer patients at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Since 1995, the group has raised $12.7 million.

This academic year’s Big Event will take place Feb. 7 and 8 in the IMU.

— by Cassidy Riley