Doing cartwheels and dancing to rock music projected from a concert stage, 8-year-old Abby Mealy, of Okemos, couldn't stand still as she waited in line with her 5-year-old sister Amanda for a ride on the Ferris wheel at Demonstration Field on Saturday.

From the top of the ride, Abby leaned forward in her seat to look at the activities going on at the fourth Sparty's Spring Party, which was sponsored by the University Activities Board, or UAB.

"I like going fast, and I could see everything," Abby said.

Throughout the day, people played Frisbee, volleyball and basketball, climbed a rock wall, munched on free hotdogs and ice cream and gathered to watch an outdoor concert featuring The Starting Line and The Donnas.

"They're having a blast," Abby's father Mike Mealy said as he balanced his daughters' two tubs of vanilla and chocolate ice cream in his arms. "They've already reserved a place to dance at the concert."

UAB Special Events Officer Rachel Bomeli said the turnout for the event was better than last year.

Students such as computer science junior Dan Lash brought lawn chairs, blankets and even grills as they listened to bands perform and joined the occasional game of Frisbee.

"I like that everyone from MSU gets to come and hang out together," Lash said.

The event also included free cotton candy and giveaways from Jones Soda Co., Jimmy John's, The Parlour on Campus and Monster Energy Drinks and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and video game tournament.

The double-elimination basketball tournament, held in the IM Sports-West parking lot, had a women's division and an open division, and the winner of each received a trip for four to Las Vegas, complete with hotel accommodations, courtesy of STA Travel, 207 E. Grand River Ave.

Kinesiology sophomore Lisa DeBuck screamed when her team won first place in the women's bracket.

"It seemed so unreal," DeBuck said after her win. "We're really excited to go and see how Vegas is and hopefully win some money."