Spring is in the air and what better way is there to celebrate the warmer weather than checking out Spring Fest 2011. Saturday, April 9, Aquinas will be offering a variety of entertainment for students, alumni, and the public to enjoy.

If you want to cheer on your fellow Saints, Laxapalooza, the women’s lacrosse tournament, begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Aquinas athletic field. The team will also be competing at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. so be sure to rest your voices! The Saint Squad and Campus Life have predicted student hunger so they will be providing a tailgate with free food for students during the game break from noon to 2 p.m. The public is more than welcome to explore the items and produce for sale in the Aquinas Farmer’s Market just around the corner in the Cook Carriage Piazza, open from 1 to 3 p.m.

Besides providing the chance to display school pride (and eat some delicious food), Spring Fest also allows students, families, and the public to connect with each other. Throughout the day, visitors to Spring Fest can play and laugh as they race up the rock wall or bounce in the Defender Dome inflatables that surround the Cook Carriage House. From 3 to 4:30 p.m., you may stop into the building to check out some of the fun Earth Day Festivities going on, including potted plant giveaways and a fun, informative Improv show on composting.

In the evening, a live performance from Plastic Musik will take stage on the Holmdene Lawn at 6 p.m. Whitney Fitzgerald, a student assistant at Campus Life describes the band as “an awesome percussion performance group that uses their unique plastic instruments to put a new twist on old favorites.” AQ Programming Board, AQRAAD, and RHA will be providing food and mocktails. The day ends with a competitive Rimball tournament at 7 p.m. in the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center.

"This is a chance for students, families, and friends of Aquinas to celebrate the coming spring with sport, spirit, sun, and sustainability. With such an extensive lineup, this Saturday’s Spring Fest 2011 is sure to ring in the spring season with something for everyone!" said Fitzgerald.