Around 150 student organization booths will dot the University of Texas campus on Saturday for the 15th annual 40 Acres Fest.
The student-run event begins at noon and will feature a variety of food, games and prizes, including an American Airlines ticket. Special attractions at this year's festival include a large dodgeball dome, a 30-foot slide, an inflatable obstacle course, a Velcro wall, a bungee run and a live music performance by rock 'n' roll icon Little Richard.
"It's a really fun day for the campus to come out and see a different side of organizations," said marketing senior Eric Le, head co-chair for the festival.
Live music performances by local bands will take place on the Main and East Malls between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. A final performance featuring Little Richard will conclude the day's festivities at 6:30 p.m.
"Everyone knows who Little Richard is. He is a well respected icon in the music community," said Aman Jain, a finance senior and music and entertainment committee member who has worked with the festival for three years.
The committee, which is part of the Student Events Center in the Texas Union, considered several bands, including Bloc Party, Wolfmother and Robert Randolph and the Family Band before obtaining Little Richard as the final act, he said.
Natalie Darrah, a public relations junior who worked at the event last year, said 40 Acres Fest is a lot of fun, which is why she decided to participate as a committee member again this year.
"It was amazing. I got to spend the entire time backstage," she said.
Darrah said she also enjoyed the booths, especially the one in which participants created art with paint balls.
Kevin Jack, a rapper and communication studies junior, was selected to open for Richard after winning a battle of the bands competition the committee held in February. Other openers include local talents The Jungle Rockers and Black Joe Lewis, she said.
"I think it is really neat how they are able to get performers like that, and it's free for the students," said Jessica Davis, a public relations junior and president of Forever Texas, a University service organization.
The organization created a wedding-themed booth for its debut in the festival last year. Participating students acted out mock matrimonial ceremonies that included a veil for the brides, a jacket for the grooms, fake wedding certificates and even wedding photos. This year the organization will run a free snow cone booth.
Davis described the festival's atmosphere as being laid-back and "collegey" and said it's "a good way to get to know the organizations on campus."
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