Though Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow on Feb. 2, USI students have continued to bundle up in winter coats as the early spring the groundhog predicted eludes the tri-state area.
But one sure sign of warmer temperatures to come is USI’s annual SpringFest celebration, to be held this year on April 8 and 9.
Students and faculty are gearing up for the two-day event which will host live music and entertainment from locally and nationally recognized acts.
Chris Cagle and Emerson Drive will rock the Physical Activities Center on Friday night; Jason Derulo and Black Violin will crank up the volume on Saturday night.
“I don’t think it’s a question that these are the two biggest concerts we’ve ever had,” said Tim Buecher, SpringFest advisor to the student executive committee.
This year is the first time total spending on entertainment will exceed $100,000, said Buecher, who has been advising the committee since the first SpringFest in 2002.
Many USI students travel out of town to visit their friends at events hosted by other schools.
One of the goals of this year’s SpringFest is to attract students from other universities to visit their friends at USI instead, said Buecher.
Freshmen Katelyn McCain, an elementary education major, and Camila Miller, undeclared, invited friend Ryan Mullis, a computer information technology major at Ivy Tech, to attend this year’s festivities at USI.
As to what attracted him to SpringFest, Mullis said quite simply, “Jason Derulo.”
Though the three bought tickets to both concerts, Miller is most excited about Chris Cagle and Emerson Drive, she said.
Live bands will perform outdoors in Lot L throughout the day on Friday starting at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m.
This year’s event will play host to other local entertainers such as the Evansville Fire Performers, a group consisting of fire spinners, baton twirlers, hula hoopers and even fire-breathers.
The rollergirls of Demolition City Roller Derby will also be giving a demonstration.
Food will be available for purchase from local eateries, including Papa Murphy’s and Jimmy John’s. Several student-operated booths will offer such fare as deed fried fish, Texas tenderloin, barbecue and bratwurst.
Carnival rides will run in Lot K. Rides are free for all USI students and their children with ID, as well as the children of USI employees.
Others may purchase one ride for $2 or an all-day wristband for $16.
Trike-A-Palooza will return for a second year, with proceeds going to the Jamel Lewis Education Fund in memory of Jeron Lewis, a USI student athlete who died last year.
The event will take place Saturday in Lot L at 3 p.m. Registration is $10 for teams and $3 for individuals. Register online at www.usi.edu/springfest/trike or on the day of the event.
PAC doors will open for the concerts at Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for each concert for USI students and $35 for the general public. Concert tickets can be purchased at the USI Bookstore and by following the link online at www.usi.edu/springfest.
