Do you have any plans this weekend? We sure do. In fact, we have been planning for this weekend since last May.
From choosing carnival activities to setting the daytime schedule, to ordering walkie talkies and port-a-potties, we have been ironing out every last detail in order to make sure that Fling is an enjoyable weekend for the Penn community.
The Fling tradition was started 34 years ago as a two day festival to allow students to have one last weekend of fun before finals begin. Take this opportunity to relax at our rain-or-shine (but hopefully shine) event!
We hope you take advantage of everything that Spring Fling has to offer. Last week, there was a SPEC Film Society screening of Casino Royale, and tonight is the annual Comedy Fest show presented by SPEC and Mask & Wig. This week is the Locust Walk Arts Fair on Wednesday and Thursday, where you can shop for jewelry, hand bags, clothing, and other unique finds.
On Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., we hope to see you all in the Quad for our most diverse Spring Fling ever. We will have over 47 performing groups, including a drag show, two step teams, A Capella groups, cover bands, dance performances and more.
Student groups and businesses are setting up booths in the Quad, including QSA, Campus Philly, Student Travel Agency and Cereality. The Student Nurses at Penn (SNAP) will be handing out free water and sunscreen -which might come in handy according to the weather forecasts (which we've been checking constantly)!
We have great new inflatables, such as Bull Riding, Bungee Challenge and, of course, the classic Moon Bounce. You can also look forward to new food vendors in the Quad, including Ben & Jerry's and Insomnia cookies, as well as your old favorite - fried Oreos.
Another daytime addition will be a dance party in Baby Quad! There will be DJs playing from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. We will also have student leaders from organizations like Active Minds, the UA and QPenn performing in between daytime acts.
Then head over to Wynn Commons for the Ben Folds & Third Eye Blind concert on Friday evening. Also make sure to check out the entirely free Carnival on Saturday at 8 p.m. on College Green. There will be free cheesesteaks from Pat's, free gelato from Capogiro, free falafel from Bitar's and free samosas from Cafe Spice!
As always, Carnival will have DJs, inflatables and novelty games. After Carnival, get your tickets and go to the Bridge for free midnight movies. And for some late-night cravings, make your way to the businesses on 40th Street, which are graciously extending their hours during Spring Fling. We have worked all year to bring you these activities, and we urge you to get out there and enjoy them!
We hope you have a blast this weekend and take advantage of the many activities planned by SPEC. This promises to be the best weekend of the year, so have an amazing time.
However, it is extremely important, and possible, for you to behave responsibly while enjoying yourself so that we can preserve the Spring Fling tradition.
For its third year, FlingSafe will be in the Quad. They are a group of student volunteers who love Penn, love Fling and are actively helping to make sure that everyone remains safe in the Quad.
The volunteers go through an application process and a training session on how to respond to various situations. Their purpose is to make sure you are enjoying Fling safely and responsibly. Please be respectful of FlingSafe volunteers, since they are your peers and have your best interests at heart.
If you'd like to bring a friend to Fling, you must purchase a guest pass by Thursday at 5 p.m. We're using a new system this year to make guest pass purchases quick and easy. Visit the SPEC Web site, http://specevents.net, to register and print out the guest pass form. Guest passes are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration does not guarantee availability.
If you're interested in helping out with Spring Fling or any branch of SPEC, we'd love to have you join us! Visit our Web site, http://specevents.net, and sign up for our listserv.
So grab your License to Fling, and we'll see you in the Quad!
Ashley Cash, Lindsay Motlin & Anna Raper are co-directors of Spring Fling 2007. They can be reached at fling@dolphin.upenn.edu.
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