Springfest To Invade MAC Quad This Weekend

Over two months after University President Lawrence H. Summers announced his intention to co-sponsor this year’s Springfest, the Undergraduate Council’s annual festival will take place tomorrow—with greater fanfare than ever before.

With the help of funding from Summers’ office, the council’s traditional day of live music and merriment has been propped up by an ad campaign far surpassing the council’s past efforts.

And council leaders say they believe slick postcards, a flashy website and a headlining band that they couldn’t afford without Summers’ money will draw more students than ever to the event.

“Turnout is actually going to be hopefully much greater than in past years,” said council President Sujean S. Lee ’03. “Publicity this year was much more intense.”

Organizers predict they will draw between 3,000 and 4,000 people to the MAC Quad during peak hours, according to Michael R. Blickstead ’05, co-chair of the council’s Campus Life Committee (CLC).

In total, the event will probably attract between 4,000 and 6,000 people, up to 2,000 of whom will likely be faculty, staff and their families—who were explicitly invited to Springfest by Summers’ office.

The Advertising Club, a College student group, has handled Springfest advertising—which many students said has been relatively effective in making people aware of the event.

“Last year I don’t think I knew about it at all until the day it happened,” said Ashley E. Isaacson ’03, who noticed the council’s postcards—which were door-dropped yesterday by Harvard Student Agencies (HSA).

Victor S. Lelyveld ’02 also noticed increased Springfest advertising this year, though he said he would have appreciated more information about the event.

“It did seem very well orchestrated,” he said.

Whether or not the advertising and other arrangements for Springfest have been well orchestrated, they have certainly been expensive—with the lion’s share of the tab picked up by Summers’ office.

Lee said the large donation by the Office of the President—exceeding the $20,000 appropriated by the council—made it possible to bid $15,000 on The Verve Pipe.

Blickstead said Summers’ office refuses to disclose the amount of its contribution.

Summers’s contribution to Springfest will be marked by a pause in the festivities when the president will “give brief remarks,” according to Lee, who will introduce him.

But council members said that Summers’ address will not interrupt the flow of the event.

“It’s not going to break the continuity or the energy of the event,” said Jessica R. Stannard-Friel ’04, the other chair of CLC.

Besides the headliner band The Verve Pipe, Springfest will also provide a venue for three student bands—Un Poquito Màs, Invisible Downtown and Diaco—which won the right to perform at Springfest in the Battle of the Bands competition on April 12.

About 25 student groups will also be present tomorrow in what Lee calls a record showing of student support for Springfest.

Groups who have received council funding for their tables include the Red Bean Club, Harvard Republican Club and WHRB radio. They will provide food and services, including “wedding pictures” of students dressed in veils provided by the Yearbook Club and free bicycle repairs from the Mountain Biking Club.

Part of Lowell House’s courtyard will also become an “Earth Day Area” for student groups representing the Environmental Action Committee.

For the first time, Springfest will feature a raffle with prizes such as a year-long laundry service donated by HSA and a meal at the Faculty Club, according to Lee.

Rides, provided by Fun Ventures, Inc., will include the Rocky Mountain Climb, Whirly Bird, Gyro, Bouncy Boxing, Human Bowling and Moon Walk. Other attractions include a tattooist, table magicians and a train that will circulate around the area.

Because faculty and staff and their families have been invited to Springfest, the Lowell courtyard—with rides such as the Mini Moon Bouncer and Willy the Whale—will be devoted to children.

Council members say the focus of Springfest will not be taken away from the College.

“It’s definitely not going to be overrun by kids,” Stannard-Friel said. “Compared to the undergrads, it’ll just be a small fraction of the event.”

—Staff writer Claire A. Pasternack can be reached at cpastern@fas.harvard.edu.