Check out some of this semester’s big events

Allyson Eighmey

Black Squirrel Festival

The 28th Annual Black Squirrel Festival will be held Friday, Sept. 11, in Risman Plaza. This year’s festival will include laser tag, a step show and an appearance by the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Scream Team.

Kent Student Center Programming, which organizes the event, will be selling T-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the festival. Ten percent of proceeds made from these sales will support the Families of September 11 fund, an organization in New York City that provides counseling and support to families affected by the terrorist attacks.

The festival will also feature prize giveaways and local vendors.

“There are a nice variety of vendors who are local artists and student vendors,” said Tessa Saylor, student co-manager of KSC Programming. “A lot of vendors are fair-trade this year as well as the usual hippie-like merchandise.”

About 3,000 people attend the festival each year. Saylor said the event attracts a lot of students, including freshmen.

“It can offer freshmen a new perspective of the community they are now a part of,” she said. “It’s a chance to socialize with new friends and learn about new organizations.”

Kent Interhall Council Events

“This is going to be one of our biggest years,” said Avery Danage, president of Kent Interhall Council. “It’s the KIC’s 40th anniversary.”

The KIC will hold its 40th anniversary celebration during the last weekend of September. A jazz music festival will kick off the festivities. The KIC will also be holding a banquet with alumni since 1969.

KIC’s first event of the year, “Walking in the Plaza” with Dining Services and Residence Services, will be held Aug. 29 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. The event will be held outside of Eastway’s main entrance and will feature bands and food.

“Dining services will be making something very special,” Danage said.

Another popular KIC event, Sex Week, will be held during the last week of October. This year’s theme is “After Hours.” Other events this fall include an Iron Chef-style competition and a home-styling competition, similar to MTV Cribs.

KIC is made up of representatives from each hall on campus. The first meeting of the year will be held Sept. 9 in the Governance Chambers at the Student Center. The meetings are open to all students.

Contact news correspondent Allyson Eighmey at [email protected].