The Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN) Traditions Department will kick off “Mackay Madness” Thursday, Feb. 28 through Saturday, March 30. The month-long series of events will feature barbeques, competitions and a philanthropy activity for University students and community members.

“In past years, we celebrated Mackay Week. This year is the 100th anniversary and we want to give a month-long thank you to John Mackay because he was such an influential figure for our state and the University,” said Shaun Carroll, director of ASUN Traditions.

The event celebrates John William Mackay, who was one of the "Big Four" mining magnates of the Comstock Lode bonanza. In 1908, the Mackay School of Mines was presented to the University of Nevada, Reno in Mackay's honor by his widow and his son. A statue of Mackay stands in front of the School of Mines building. Gutzon Borglum, who is best known for his work on Mount Rushmore, created the statue.

Schedule of free events open to the community:

•             Mackay March Kick Off: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 28, Gateway Plaza. Enjoy the Mackay month kick off with free food, live music, dunk tanks, bounce houses, can jam, corn hole, apple golf, Frisbee, football and more.

•             Mackay Miracle Mile: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 1- March 30, ASUN Accounting Office, Third Floor Joe Crowley Student Union. One dollar bill equals six inches, two dollar bills equal one foot, and 5,280 feet equal one mile. Help ASUN reach its goal of one mile worth of dollar bills, $10,560. Any size donation is accepted but for every $10 donation, participants will receive a raffle ticket to win a 13-inch MacBook Pro. All proceeds will be donated to an endowment fund for University students.

•             Steak & Steins: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 30, the University of Nevada, Reno Quad. Come out and support the commemoration of the Mackay 100-year anniversary at this year’s annual Steak & Steins. A live cover band will play and local restaurant Men Wielding Fire will provide the steaks. The cost is $10 for members of the public and $5 for students. Comments will also be given regarding higher education in the state of Nevada.