Spring is around the corner, which means a UIS tradition is returning to campus. The Student Activities Committee (SAC) will be hosting UIS Springfest from April 22 through April 28. SAC held a number of informational tabling events in the Student Union to promote registration for the event, which is open until March 8 and can be accessed on their UIS Connections page
“Springfest is a four-day event including a scavenger hunt, capture the flag, a service project, sports games, and tug of war,” said Arly Arcos, senior at UIS and chairman of the Springfest committee.
Students can register in teams of seven to 12 members to participate in a series of team-based competitions for the chance to win a cash prize, a trophy, and to have fun. Springfest is a UIS tradition stretching back to 1992, which according to the event’s website, makes it “one of the longest standing traditions at University of Illinois Springfield.”
“Our overall theme this year is PBS Kids, and so everything we are going to be doing is obviously going to be PBS Kids related,” said Malik Wells, sophomore at UIS and event coordinator on the SAC Springfest committee.
This theme was reflected in the activities available for students at the informational tabling events SAC hosted at the Student Union. While the table included details about Springfest and a sampling of the T-shirts participants can get, there was also a wheel students could spin for a chance to answer PBS Kids and Springfest trivia questions and earn prizes.
Some of the questions included: “Name 3 PBS Kids Songs,” “When was the first Springfest at UIS?” “Finish the Lyrics,” “Where is this Character From,” and “What is a historical Springfest Event?”
Arcos said that he sees Springfest as a way for students to let loose during a stressful time of the semester and to connect with their classmates and peers through fun competitive activities and teamwork.
“To me, Springfest is a way for students to take a step back from studying and enjoy a fun week,” Arcos said.
Those interested in registering for Springfest will have to act fast, as registration is only open until March 8 and no late entries are accepted. The link for registration can be found on the SAC UIS Connections page. The fest itself runs from April 22 through April 28.
