Vintage Days to feature multiple events and fun for all ages

By Katrina Garcia
The Collegian

As always at this time of year, students feel the warmth of spring fever and fight the urge to get out of the classroom. But for Fresno State students, an annual celebration is promising more — a way to get “Out of This World.”

That’s the theme for this year’s Vintage Days at Fresno State, held Friday through Sunday. The events will be taking place offer more chances for students to throw down the textbooks and catch some extra vacation time— possibly in Las Vegas.

Casino Night will kick off the festival Thursday from 7 to 11 p.m. by transforming the University Student Union into a life-like casino. A professional casino company will be at hand, and students can be dealt hands at Black Jack and Poker tables.

For students who are more familiar with Madonna than Lady Luck, the evening will also feature a karaoke competition. Two getaways will be given away to students who attend Casino Night — one to Las Vegas and the other to Montecito-Sequoia Lodge, a resort located between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National parks.

“Casino Night is going to be ‘out of this world’ with the prizes that are being offered,” Vintage Days Student Director Jason Jones said.

While events like Casino Night, Salsa Night on Friday and Battle of the Bands are geared towards Fresno State students, Jones said Vintage Days is for the whole community to enjoy.

The Kids’ Zone is one of the ways Vintage Days draws in children of all ages, as it features a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses and free arts and crafts activities. The Fresno Science Mobile, complete with work stations and science and math activities, will also pay a visit to this year’s Kids’ Zone.

“It is an event that is catered to students, yet it will bring the community to the campus as well,” Jones said. “It is a time for campus-community collaboration.”

Molly Fagundes, Vintage Days adviser and a Student Activities and Leadership Development adviser, agrees that the festival, which brings more than 50,000 people to the campus, is for everyone.

“It’s for the whole community, from young children all the way up to older people,” Fagundes said.

Arts and crafts lovers will especially enjoy the Crafts Faire, an event that has featured more than 200 craft booths, from homemade jewelry to one-of-a-kind wind chimes.

The Boomtown Carnival will be the home of a variety of food and game booths run by campus student organizations. Those clubs will face off by participating in booth decorating contests based on the “Out of This World” theme, with cash prizes awarded to first, second and third places winners whose organizations show the most creativity in their booths.

In the November 2005 issue of Fresno Magazine, Vintage Days was listed as the best festival. Jones said Vintage Days has long had a tradition of connecting with the local community, and that is why a wide variety of events and activities are offered for everyone to enjoy.

“Our main goal is to create an event for students to attend,” Jones said. “And the community to build a sense of awareness of student life and university excellence.”

Vintage Days will be held Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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