Life > March 20, 2003

By Valerie Paschall

Old Gold and Black Reviewer

After spring break, students on campus generally do not want to be here. Luckily, Springfest, after a year’s hiatus, has returned to cure the post-spring break blues.

What exactly is Springfest? Essentially, it is Student Union’s free four-day party running from Wednesday March 26 through Saturday March 29.

“Until just a few years ago, Springfest was one of the most anticipated events on campus,” said senior Springfest committee chair Lindy Zimmerman. “It’s a shame that today most students have no idea what Springest is ... [but] I truly believe that it will be a sensation.”

Festivities kick off on March 26 with a free outdoor showing on the Magnolia Quad of 25th Hour.

March 27 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. there will be free food, interactive games, an inflatable climbing wall, plus prizes and test drives sponsored by Volkswagen and Trek on the Magnolia Quad. Also on the 27th, a Battle of the Bands will be on the Mag Quad beginning at 7 p.m. and lasting until 11 p.m.

March 28 from11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the Magnolia Quad, the Universal Consulting Group will provide massages, manicures, facials, prizes and more. Starting at 2 p.m., again on the Mag Quad, a plethora of games such as laser tag, bouncy boxing, jousting, and a Velcro wall will be available for student pleasure. At 5 p.m. Residence Life and Housing will provide free food and Unified Rhythms will host a block party that will give students the chance to win prizes in several different contests including basketball trivia, a Spades tournament, and a freestyle rap and dance competition.

March 29 on Davis Field from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Student Government will provide a barbeque with free food and beverages. Also at 2 p.m. Weekend Excursion will take the stage, followed by Chapel Hill based hip-hop group Sanofka and Texan musician Bob Schneider. Zimmerman expressed special excitement about this portion of Springfest since she feels the unorthodox mix will be a winning combination.

This year’s Springfest promises all the free goodies that one would expect from a revival of a festival that also accommodates class schedules. With a good turnout, it will be more than just a self-proclaimed “biggest party on campus.”