California State University, Stanislaus has a lot to offer—not only to the students, but to the community as well. Associated Students, Incorperated (ASI) is hosting its fourth annual StanFest Community Carnival.
This event is open to the public and for kids of all ages. Entrance and parking are free. Traditional carnival snacks like popcorn, snowcones and cotton candy will also be available.
The carnival takes place this Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. in Pergola Meadows, located in the center of campus.
There will be carnival games, caricatures, face painting, a magician, bounce houses, a train and much more.
ASI will offer a variety of prizes, ranging from binoculars to pillow pets to anything you need on a safari. To win, all you need to do is play games to earn tickets. It’s that easy.
“This year we are putting a twist on the carnival and giving it a safari theme,” Ryan-Shea Collins, Special Events Coordinator at Code Red Entertainment, said. “The bounce houses will be jungle/safari themed.”
There will even be door prizes.
“The first 200 kids who come are going to receive a fanny pack,” Collins said. The fanny packs can be used to store the prizes that they win at the carnival.
The event is held not only to celebrate, but also “so [that] the community can know that we are here for them and that we are an integral part of the Turlock community,” Collins said.  “[The goal is] to bridge the gap between the community and the campus. We are a city with a university, not a university city.”
Events like these are held to make CSU Stanislaus a larger and more involved member of the community, by branching out. There will also be a concert for the students, faculty and staff.
“StanFest is the celebration […] of Founder’s Day. Traditionally [we] had the welcome back concert and we transformed it into a community-centered event, as well as a separate event for college students,” Collins said.
“I’m excited to see what ASI has to offer this year and who they hire to perform,” Katarina Flores (junior, Communication Studies) said. “I wasn’t able to attend last year, so I hope I can make it.”
The concert is on Saturday, Sept. 21. Students will have the chance to enjoy an “urban artist,” Collins said. The attendees can show off their school pride, come together and have a good time at our wonderful campus.
This year’s concert is an awesome opportunity to show representatives from other California State Universities that our students are devoted to our school.
The event is something that may well put our campus on the map.
“California’s State Student Association, is going to be having its annual conference here at CSU, Stanislaus,” Collins said. “All 23 campuses are going to be represented here on that weekend, so they will be attending our concert.”
This is a great opportunity to show the presidents and vice presidents of other campuses our Warrior pride, and to promote our school spirit.
Come one, come all and have some free fun and entertainment. It is optional, but recommended to bring: safari costumes, sunscreen, money for concessions and a cap or visor for the carnival.
For further information call 209-667-3815, visit the Warrior Activities Center or their website www.csustan.edu/asi-usu/pages/SpecialEvents.php.