In a showcase of Notre Dame's diversity of culture and talent, the third annual Campus-wide Fair will take place on North Quad from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, with enough music, dancing and free food to fill up the void of a football bye weekend.
Sponsored by, among others, the Student Government, Student Union Board, Multicultural Student Programs and Services, Student Activities, Campus Ministry and the Class of 2006, the Fair involves over 40 clubs of all interests from around campus, including multicultural, performance, and media groups. To allow the event to be cost-free for attendees, the Student Government allotted each group with $150 to cover their expenses.
Tessa Garcia, chair of the diversity division for the Office of the President, said, "The goal of the fair is not only to celebrate our different heritages through the exposure of the cultural clubs, but also to reveal the talents and diversity of other campus clubs as well."
The show will open with a series of free-styling performances by children from within the community, which Teamwork for Tomorrow sponsored. Other featured groups include the Hawaii Club, Irish Dancing Club, First Class Steppers, Swing Club, Undertones, Pom Squad, FASO and Student Broadcasting Club.
From its humble beginnings in the LaFortune Ballroom three years ago, the Campus-wide Fair has moved to North Quad to satisfy space and location concerns.
"After the success of the first multicultural fair ... several student leaders wanted to expand it and allow the entire campus to see the cultural richness it embraces. North Quad is an excellent venue through which the cultural clubs can do a big event and share their culture with those who have never experienced it," said Garcia.
Besides being regaled with free entertainment and food, students will also be given the opportunity to win raffled prizes, such as gift certificates to Legends and tickets to see David Spade at the JACC that evening. The dorm with the highest attendance will also be rewarded for its efforts.
"Held early in the year, during a football bye weekend, the Fair represents a taste of what each cultural club has to offer throughout the rest of the academic year. It speaks a message of welcome," Garcia said.
