Cal Poly is preparing for a flood of more than 7,000 potential students, parents, and visitors to the campus for its annual Open House celebration, set for April 17, 18, and 19. The college is urging locals to walk, ride bikes, or take the bus to campus that weekend to avoid a parking nightmare.

Saturday's events include live performances, club booths offering food from around the world, and RoboRodentia, a robotics competition that sends mechanical "mice" scurrying through mazes to find balls. A Poly Royal Parade will circle the school's Perimeter Road starting at 9 a.m.