Binghamton University's fourth annual University Fest will take on an international flavor this year, as ethnic groups from the community and several student performances add to the fun. The University will welcome the community onto campus and students back for the fall semester with free books and soda, craft demonstrations, vendors, games and entertainment on the Peace Quad from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 30. Festivities will also include a 30th birthday cake for the School of Education and Human Development, to be sliced and shared with attendees. For the third year in a row, Penguin Publishing has donated a tractor trailer full of new books to give away. Approximately 45,000 books will be free for the taking under the big tent on the Peace Quad.
Interested readers can walk away with as many books as they can carry.
Visitors can enjoy the sounds of the Gospel Choir, the Binghamtonics, the Harpeggios, the Korean American Christian Fellowship and the Rhythm Method, as well as dance performances by community groups including Troupe of Kuumba and K'Chaim, and student organizations including the Binghamton University Japanese Association and the Taiwanese American Student Coalition. The family-friendly fest will also include a Kids Corner with games and face painting for toddlers and carnival games and a Velcro Wall for older kids. Demonstrations by local ethnic groups will include egg decorating, candle making and wood carving. University Fest is sponsored by Binghamton University, the Student Association and the Division of Student Affairs. There is no admission charge, parking is free, and a shuttle service will be operating from parking areas to the Peace Quad.