No matter how passionate you are, a 12-hour dance marathon is bound to test your stamina, and somewhere around hour four, staying energized becomes just as important as finding the rhythm.
Villanova’s annual NOVAdance is a year-long fundraising effort that culminates in this electric event, bringing students together for a full day of movement, emotion and support for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation in the fight against childhood cancer. Somewhere between the music and the long hours, one thing becomes clear: staying properly fueled is not optional but is part of the strategy.
Behind the Scenes
For junior Lily Frick, NOVAdance Hospitality Chair, this extensive operation is anything but effortless. It takes months of outreach, planning and persistence to ensure no participants hit a wall halfway through the event.
“I manage all the food and raffle donations,” Frick said. “We reach out to around 200 vendors and receive all resources through a zero-dollar budget.”
You would never guess it from what ends up on the tables. As the hours build, the food becomes part of the flow: always shifting and always ready.
What’s On the Table
Though a large portion of the donations comes from Villanova’s Dining Services, many vendors contribute, creating an almost overwhelming array of options.
“We get food from places like Krispy Kreme, The Bakery House, Spread Bagelry, UpRyes, Chick-fil-A, Camp Co, Zesto’s, Wawa and Center City pretzels,” Frick said.
From pizza and hoagies to pastries and Philadelphia-style soft pretzels, the lineup covers everything a person could realistically need to keep going. Some options are quick and easy. Others sustain you longer. But all of them serve a purpose once the hours start to catch up.
What matters is not just what is on the tables, but what will carry you through the day. At a certain point, food stops being something you grab in passing and becomes part of your game plan.
“Pizza is one of the best options because it loads you with carbs,” Frick said. “Wawa hoagies are also really good if you want something that will keep you going.”
Along with Frick’s personal expertise, some options have already earned their reputation as fan favorites. Chick-fil-A rarely lasts long, and The Bakery House, a local staple, is increasingly popular.
Come As You Please
Food is served in waves, with breakfast, lunch and dinner spaced out throughout the day. But the setup is meant to work around you, not slow you down.
“The food tables are always out and full as the marathon goes on,” Frick said.
This flexibility changes how participants and B+ Heroes move through the day. Instead of stopping entirely, people step out when they need to, grab a bite and head right back in, never missing a beat.
Equally as important, hydration becomes part of this same routine. Between refill stations and options like Poppi, Hint Water, Bubbl’r, Wawa iced tea and lemonade, staying hydrated is just as essential as what is on your plate. It’s easy to get swept up in the constant motion and liveliness, but it is the fast grabs and sips that keep all the participants in it for the long run.
New This Year: A Change of Pace
This year, NOVAdance is not just adding new food options. It is also stepping into a new space. For the first time, the event will be held on the Cabrini campus, bringing a new setting to a tradition long rooted at Jake Nevin.
Even with this shift in location, the heart of NOVAdance remains unchanged. The goal is still to keep participants fueled and present, all while coming together to support a great cause.
Three food trucks, Dunkin’, Southbound BBQ and Calaveras Street Tacos, will be featured in the event. It is all part of the hospitality team’s effort to make sure there is something for everyone, no matter what you are in the mood for or what craving you need fulfilled to keep going.
The Final Hours
As the end gets closer, it becomes less about pushing through and more about finishing strong. The crowd tightens, the music gets louder and every move carries a little more meaning.
“I am looking forward to reveal hour,” Frick said. “Seeing all of our work come together into one number and knowing how many families we are helping makes everything worth it.”
By the final stretch, no one is counting the hours anymore. At NOVAdance, it is the smallest moments, a bite, a sip and a step, that carry you all the way through.
