Palmer spine tradition stands tall at 2024 Quad-City Times Bix 7

But a few tend to stand out, including the various Marilyn Monroes, the "Elvi" (several Elvis impersonators) and, of course, the Palmer spine: a walking, 75-foot-long human vertebral column.

Palmer College of Chiropractic has a long history of sending students up and down Brady Street in spine costumes — the earliest record dating back to 1916, per college historian Dr. Roger Hynes.

Still, college archives have little information detailing the Palmer spine tradition's on-campus origins. As previously reported, local radio stations started hosting group/individual costume contests for Bix participants in the '80s, spurring an uptick of costumed racers.

While it's unclear exactly why or when the Palmer spine shifted from being an on-campus parade of sorts into a lauded Bix staple, students flock to continue the tradition each race.

"It was high on my list of student experiences to get involved with when I came here," said Kristin Caddick, an eighth-trimester Palmer student from Raleigh, North Carolina.

She works with Palmer faculty members to promote and organize the Bix spine, often using email, campus tabling and social media to spread the word — but student recruitment is seldom an issue.

"We're fortunate that our legacy carries us, in terms of students wanting to participate every year," Caddick said. "Emails just come flooding in."

Case in point, there's already a waitlist for next year's Palmer spine.

"The hype really drives itself," Caddick said. "Being part of the Palmer spine is a hallmark of the student experience … There's nothing else like this in the entire world."

The tradition itself is largely student-led, and students' only incentives for participating — other than getting to enjoy the Bix 7 atmosphere — are a free t-shirt and $5 gift card to Redband Coffee Company. 

"It was recently rated number five out of the 50 activities on (Palmer's) Student Bucket List," said Dr. Kara Shannon, associate dean of clinics and Palmer spine faculty leader.

She led the pack during Saturday's race, dressed as the C1 vertebra (the first spinal segment) for anatomical accuracy.

While the Palmer spine used to perform a choreographed dance throughout the race, Caddick said it has since shifted to "coordinated movements."

"We found that (learning dance choreography) was a barrier to participation," she said. "It's already a stretch with students' busy schedules and getting a doctorate."

A video of the routine is sent to participating students to practice on their own time. The group meets for two run-throughs on the morning of the Bix. 

"Then, we hit the streets and show off our dance skills," Caddick said. 

This approach puts less pressure on Palmer students amid their often-heavy academic workloads, offering more opportunity to participate in the Bix — a historic piece of downtown Davenport.

"It's so meaningful for students to have a 'touch point' to the greater Quad-Cities community … It's a break from the rigidity of the (academic) program," Caddick said. "I think it can be hard for us to step outside of our student bubble or maybe pull our head out of the books sometimes."

For this reason, she and her peers enjoy opportunities to engage with the community. Especially when they get to, "have fun and let loose."

"I think all of our students are really proud to represent Palmer out there," Caddick said. "And, it's such a fantastic opportunity for the community to (see) where their future providers are coming from."

As a Quad-Cities native and Palmer graduate, Shannon said she believes community outreach opportunities like the Bix "profoundly" impact students. 

"Our mission at Palmer is not only to facilitate an exceptional learning experience and provide quality patient care, but also instill a passion for service and community engagement," she said.

On Saturday, Palmer students also offered chiropractic services in the college's post-race tent. Whether they applied classroom knowledge in this setting, or chatted with runners and spectators on the course, Shannon said Palmer students create "meaningful connections" with Quad-Citians at the Bix.

To her, this reflects the Palmer spine's status as a top student experience.

"And the pride they feel in being part of such an impactful, enjoyable event," Shannon said. "It’s not just about the hands-on (learning); it's also about the sense of community and connection that comes with participating in something larger than themselves."