Changes in the midst for Spring Fest

The semester is drawing to an end and university students are anxious to get classes over with. However, the closure of a business threatened to end the tradition of the pre-finals Springfest celebration. The sponsor for the previous two years, Suite 49, closed its doors earlier this year, leaving university students wondering if they would have to find their own way to celebrate the weekend before finals.

Determined to keep the event going, Grand Forks Park District sent out a Request for Proposal to local businesses. According to Stephen Mullally, Superintendant of Parks, "The RFP received two responses, one from Gilly's bar and one from Rhombus Guys. We went with Rhombus Guys because they were proposing to cover more of the total cost."

The costs include food, which will be pizza provided solely by Rhombus Guys, alcohol, fencing for University Park, and the Springfest's main attraction, the bands.

Now with a sponsor found, Springfest is set to begin Saturday May 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mullally hopes the cost to the public will drastically reduced with Rhombus Guys agreeing to cover the aforementioned items.

"Costs [for the city] last year were around $20,000, which includes overtime for police officers, managing the event, park officials left to clean up afterwards, safety personnel on call, insurance and other amenities such as port-a-potties." Unlike previous Springfests, students attending this year will have to pay a $5 cover charge.

"The intent [of the cover charge] is to give back money in order to recoup public funds," explains Mullally. In past years, the Park District has received very little money back from the event. "The public isn't keen on paying for something like this" he explains, "We want to use as little public funding as possible."

In past years, Springfest has experienced problems with individuals bringing their own alcohol, open containers outside of park limits, over-consumption, and underage drinking. Due to changing policy in recent years, the number of arrests has been on a decline.

"We used to see numbers as high as 130 arrests during the event, and now we only see about 30," reports Mullally. "We want students to be aware of the rules so we can have as little trouble with them as possible."

General rules include: individuals are not allowed to bring their own liquor to the park, all alcoholic beverages must stay in the designated areas, and no one will be admitted without an ID. Pets and furniture are also prohibited.

"We don't want anyone getting bitten," cautioned Mullally. Individuals are allowed to reenter the event if they have their official wristband and ID.

University Park will be closed shortly afterwards to ensure cleanup can be completed as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

One remaining point Mullally wishes to clear up is the problem of the rumors being spread by local bars about the price of alcohol at the event. "Contrary to what some have heard, the price is not going to be $5 a beer. We want to keep it affordable"

Nonalcoholic drinks will also be provided for those who choose not to drink.

Changes Several changes will hit the event this year due to the closing of Suite 49 and the need for a new sponsor.

After a small amount of deliberation, Grand Forks' own Rhombus Guys pizza won the bid to be the host and will be the sole food vendor for the event.

According to a release, a $5 cover charge will be needed at the door in order to cover the liability of hosting Springfest, all money will go to the business of Rhombus Guys and not the city. All attendees will be given a wristband once they pay if they are of age.

Rhombus Guys will be hosting a beer pong tournament starting at 11 a.m., a $20 entry fee is required and any parties interested need to contact Rhombus Guys for details.

Drink tickets are required and the pricing is $3 for a 16 oz. Beer. Student Government will also be providing free pop and water through Rhombus Guys (up to 330 drinks) with UND ID. Rhombus Guys is providing entertainment as well with the bands Reconcile (performing first), followed by the North River Ramblers, Still Fighting It and Colie Paulson in that order.