Each spring, Saint Mary's Student Activities Board hosts one of the largest social events of the year - the SMC Tostal, which takes place today.
This event is coordinated by the Traditional Events Chair and this year, Saint Mary's juniors Donna Lubbers and Jen Herdman are in charge. Lubbers has planned the Tostal for the last two years.
The SMC Tostal has a long tradition on campus. It used to be called SMC AnTostal after the Celtic festival of spring.
"Now it is just a fun way for us all to come together as a campus and celebrate Saint Mary's in the springtime," said Lubbers.
Saint Mary's, Notre Dame and Holy Cross students are invited to join in on SMC Tostal.
Off-campus students and faculty and staff and their families are also welcome, organizers said.
The theme of this years Tostal is "Pucker Up." To promote the event, secret free gifts will be passed out during lunch at the Saint Mary's Dining Hall.
There are many events that have become tradition at the Tostal. From 3 to 5 p.m. there will be canoe races around Lake Marion. The picnic dinner is on the Library Green from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The drive in movie at 9 p.m., also on the Library Green, is "Mona Lisa Smile."
There will also be inflatables, games, artists, airbrush tattoo artists and a gladiator joust. New events include a mechanical bull, old-time photos and a giant game of twister. "We'll see what kind of a response we get to the bull, photos, and twister," Lubbers said. "The students seem really excited about it all."
There will also be music at the SMC Tostal. Singer and songwriter Jason LeVasseur will be performing at 4:30 p.m. Then, at 6:30 p.m., the 80s band Son of Glam will be performing.
This year 45 volunteers will help set up and run the event.
Thoughts of next year's SMC Tostal are already on the mind of Lubbers. "I can't really say anything on the record yet, but don't be surprised if you see fireworks on the schedule again," said Lubbers.
Lubbers said that she also hopes that next year's Tostal will be able to be in conjunction with the grand opening of the new Saint Mary's student center.
