Kaleidoquiz (KQ) 2013 is just around the corner, and this year will be just as hectic and involved as ever before.

“It is unlike any other event out there and in that way it stays fresh,” Trevin Ward of KURE says. “It is a very college experience. There are not that many points in peoples life that they stay up all night answering trivia questions on the radio.”

Starting back in 1967, KQ was just a twelve hour long contest on what is now known as KURE 88.5 but what was then just on the Ames radio station before it was even FM.

Growing popularity, KQ became one of the largest radio trivia games in the world. Because of its popularity, KQ has overloaded the phone system in Ames.

Eventually growing in length to what is now today with being 26 hours long, and even gaining recognition by having a story done by National Public Radio. The story was written in 1970’s due to the phenomenon that KQ was bringing.

KQ brought Ames a lot of attention, bringing hundreds of cars to the town just to answer trivia questions that the radio would ask every six minutes.

As time went on KQ had to evolve with the changing of times. With the rise of the Internet and the ease of answering the questions, more had to be done. Scavenger hunts, song and movie montages, talent shows, and much more came into the fray of tasks teams had to do to win as well with the trivia questions being asked every six minutes.

“The basic structure of everything is going to be very similar, questions over the radio every six minutes, physical challenges that are tradition but with a twist, creator events, scavenger hunts, and lectures on music genres where they have to take a written test afterwards,” Ward described.

In previous years, teams have had to play a basketball game against other teams with all playing being dressed up as if they were basketball players from the 1970’s. Other events including make a talent show presentation and perform it in a manner of two hours.

Today KQ has increased length and will become crazier by the year for the teams.

Prizes are given to those who place the first three spots. Previous prizes have included bundles such as; a movie bundle, dorm bundle, and geeky bundle. Each one filled with goods depending on the theme. The movie bundle featuring popcorn, a years subscription to Netflix, as well as other goods.

Other prizes go out to teams who win certain events even if they did not place in the top three. Such as the winner of the scavenger hunt event.

KQ 2013 will be happening March 1^st and 2^nd broadcasted on KURE 88.5.