Volfest, a week-long series of events, is coming to campus this week to bring students fun and a sense of unity.
“Volfest is like Welcome Week,” said Camellia Meehan, SGA historian. “It’s a campus-wide event to try to incorporate a festival to bring campus unity.”
The festival kicks off Monday at Smokey’s, where from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. students can share their thoughts about the university to get free food.
“At ‘Food For Your Thoughts,’ people will let us know what they love or hate about UT,” Meehan said. “They give us thoughts, and we give them cake.”
Later that night, the Film Committee is sponsoring “Dive-In Movie at the Aquatic Center.”
Take some time off from studying and go to the movies at the Student Aquatic Center at 8:30 p.m.
Say “hey” to everyone on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“‘Hey Day’ is a time when everyone says ‘hi’ to everyone they see,” Meehan said. “We’re a friendly campus, and it’s just a time to exhibit that friendliness.”
If food and baby oil sound like a good combination, Thursday’s slip-n-slide event just may be the ticket to get rid of late-in-the-week stress.
“The slip-n-slide will feature free pizza and music provided by Wild 98.7,” Meehan said. “The event is basically a bunch of tarps, baby oil and crazy people.”
The sliding takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Aquatic Center.
For those who need some dessert to go with their pizza, travel on down to the UC Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. for free ice cream.
As part of Volfest, the Issues Committee is sponsoring “A Night of Social Responsibility, Radical Business Philosophy and Free Ice Cream.” Jerry Greenfield of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream will be the featured speaker while the audience devours their frozen treat.
Plan on lunch at the UC Plaza on Friday, because the International House is hosting its annual International Fair throughout the day. In the past, the event has featured cuisine items from cultures across the globe.
After the Orange and White game on Saturday, join in on a campus cleanup and cookout. The event brings students together to beautify the campus and enjoy a cookout.
Volfest will conclude on Sunday with a concert in Circle Park. The Peace and Justice Concert features several local bands as well as 1159, a hip-hop group from California.
Coordinators hope to make Volfest a trend for years to come.
“We’ve been working for months coordinating the events for the week, and I’m looking forward to the start of Volfest,” said Adam Prater, director of Volfest. “My vision is for Volfest to be the inception of an annual UT tradition. It brings together so many different segments of campus for a true community-building experience.”
In the future, community businesses may also be involved in the festival.
“I would like to incorporate more of the Knoxville businesses for sponsorship of the event next year as well,” Prater said. “This is an excellent opportunity to build a bridge between the local business community and the university that will benefit the students.”
Students are encouraged to attend the many free activities that are scheduled throughout the week.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for each student organization to interact and contribute to a community-oriented campus event,” Prater said.
