Nancy Haldeman’s daughter studies pharmacy at Kansas University, but the lesson Haldeman learned Saturday at KU’s second annual Open House had more to do with campus geography.

“It’s very hilly,” she said, only half-joking.

Haldeman traveled from Manhattan to visit her daughter, Danelle, a second-year pharmacy student. They spent the day getting free cholesterol, blood glucose and bone density tests.

“You may not get the results you want, but it’s free,” Nancy Haldeman said.

That was true of just about everything at the daylong event, which university officials said drew 22,500 people to campus, up from 20,000 last year.

Most activities this year were concentrated along Jayhawk Boulevard, rather than spread across the 1,000-acre campus. Nearly every university department was represented at information booths along the main thoroughfare.

Red and blue balloons lined the streets. Tiny children walked hand-in-hand with their parents and squealed with glee whenever a Jayhawk mascot came into view. And future Jayhawks and their parents scoped out the opportunities awaiting them.

Julie Campbell, a lab director in KU’s biological sciences department, and her two young sons were taking a break Saturday afternoon under a shade tree in front of Strong Hall. For her 3-year-old son, Sam, the best part of the day was hopping inside the moonwalk.

“It gets bouncy,” he said, bobbing up and down on his mom’s lap.

Julie Campbell just enjoyed being outside for a change.

“I’m in my building all day, so it’s nice to get out and walk around campus and see other things,” she said.

Hilary Duderstadt of Overland Park brought her son, Christopher, to the open house for the second year in row. Decked in a KU basketball jersey, warm-up pants and crimson and blue sun visor, the 11-year-old certainly wasn’t hiding his desire to one day walk campus as a student.

“He just loves KU,” Hilary Duderstadt said. “He wants to come to school here.”

The two also stopped at a KU Public Safety Office table where officers were snapping mug shots and fingerprinting children so parents could have the information for their records. Lt. Schuyler Bailey said the office had worked up about 100 of the identification cards.

“This is a very popular stop,” he said.

On Wescoe Beach, open house participants took in an American Sign Language demonstration, performances by the KU Spirit Squad and student vocal group Random Harmony, an ROTC drill and a humanities chautauqua.

Elsewhere on campus, departments opened their doors to visitors, displayed student projects and staged student performances.

The day wrapped up with a parade down Jayhawk Boulevard to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. International students from 56 countries carried their nations’ flags in the colorful procession.

Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor for university relations and a grand marshal in the parade, deemed the day a great success.

“This is really a family day here at KU,” she said. “We want people to know they’re welcome here. I think it’s going to be a great tradition here.”