By BENITA MEHTA
For The State News
Carnival games, inflatable fun and live outdoor music - sounds like spring is in the air.
In order to kick off spring’s arrival, the University Activities Board and the Residence Halls Association organized Sparty’s Spring Party, held Saturday at the IM Sports-West parking lot and Demonstration Field.
About 50 student volunteers from both organizations planned the events and showed up to accommodate about 1,000 people who attended throughout the day.
The day began with a three-on-three basketball tournament and continued with a carnival later, complete with a Ferris wheel, two rock walls, laser tag, a trampoline, an Orbitron and midway games.
“I got to play softball and be a gymnast all in one day for free,” theater freshman Jessica Bradley said. “Flipping on the trampoline was cool.”
For some, the event was an attraction because it was free.
“Free is good because I’m broke,” theater freshman Melissa Bowers said. “It was advertised everywhere and it’s something fun to do on a Saturday afternoon.”
Live music from local bands began at 5 p.m. with performances by Domestic Problems, Remedy, Pushing 33 and 19 Wheels. By the time 19 Wheels took the stage, a large crowd had formed to see the band.
“19 Wheels is a great pop rock band that I have seen seven or eight times,” education sophomore Eric Stiegel said. “They demonstrate a solid rock sound and a passion for playing live. I would never miss a chance to see them.”
Lisa Rollins, vice-chairperson of UAB program development, was in charge of booking the bands and setting up concert times.
“All of the bands have played for us before so they were easy to work with,” the family community services senior said. “They have been supportive of UAB events in the past, like U-Fest, so we invited them back.”
Student were completely in charge of the event’s planning process. Laura Wisniewski, vice-chairperson of special events for UAB, was one of the main organizers.
“I could not even begin to count the number of hours that have gone into planning this event,” the urban and regional planning senior said. “I have been working on it almost nonstop since the beginning of January.”
Once the party was planned, the day’s events also depended heavily on student volunteers. They ran most of the games and booths except for the big rides such as the Ferris wheel and rock climbing, which were handled by professionals.
“I decided to volunteer because I thought it would be a fun time,” said Jennifer Husted, UAB’s business coordinator and a communication senior. “It’s a great day and there are a lot of activities for students to choose from.”
But students weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the festivities.
“It’s fun for everyone in the community, as well as students,” said volunteer Tami Welch, a human resources senior. “Big Brothers and Big Sisters came so we have a lot of little kids here, too.”
Many of the student organizers said they were happy with the outcome.
“The skills that I have learned through the University Activities Board will not only be useful in my career, but the friends and memories that I have made in my year and a half with this organization will be with me for the rest of my life,” Wisniewski said. “This event is even more special to me because it will be my last event with the UAB since I will be graduating in two weeks.”
