It’s that time of year again: when a significant portion of the UA Mall gets blocked off, causing confusion among new students. Spring Fling begins this weekend.
The UA accepts several thousand new freshmen every year from all over the country and many may not know what exactly Spring Fling is. Here are the answers to several frequently asked questions about the event, from Miranda Beck, dance senior and executive director of Spring Fling.
Daily Wildcat: What is Spring Fling?
Miranda Beck: Spring Fling is the largest student-run carnival in the country. It’s the largest campus fundraiser for clubs and organizations. All the food booths and game booths are run by clubs and all the money they make goes back to them.
Who organizes the event?
Spring Fling is entirely student-run. We work with a lot of community partners, but it’s myself and eight other student directors. We plan the entire event.
When is Spring Fling?
April 8-10
Friday: 4–11 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission closes an hour prior to closing time.
Where is it located?
On the UA east Mall.
Marketing Director Santiago Kloehr, a marketing senior, answered a few more questions about how to prepare for Spring Fling.
What should people bring?
Santiago Kloehr: You get in free with your CatCard, so make sure you have it.
Would you recommend getting a wristband or tickets for the rides?
The best thing to do would be to buy an unlimited ride wristband. There are over 40 rides and attractions and they are rides that will make you the bravest of Wildcats.
Is there any advice you’d give to a first-time attendee?
Try to get the most of it. It’s at the foot of your door for three days, so come as much as you want. Take advantage of it and make it a tradition.
What’s your favorite part of Spring Fling?
My favorite part is how interconnected it makes not only the campus, but the Tucson community. I don’t know any other event where so many groups come together.
The wristbands are $30 on Friday and $20 on Sunday, but you can get $5 off the price by donating four nonperishable items to the Community Food Bank. The website also lists prices for tickets and how many tickets each of the rides require.
Parking is free in the lots north of Speedway Boulevard and south of Sixth Street during Spring Fling, and certain garages such as Highland Avenue, Park Avenue, Main Gate, Tyndall Avenue and Sixth Street are free to park in on Saturday and Sunday. Other garages may require a fee.
The Spring Fling website, springfling.arizona.edu, has more information for the curious.
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