The University of Lethbridge welcomes back students this week with Freshfest— three days of fun and excitement designed to welcome back students and help newcomers meet some new people to the tune of live music.
“ This year is going to be bigger than the other years,” said Freshfest co-ordinator Riley Miller who is excited about his third year of being involved with the event.
The events begins with an all ages with a luau in the University of Lethbridge Breezeway, Sept. 4 from 2-6 p.m including music, a barbecue, bonfire, inflatable and wet obstacle course and a massive slip n slide. After that there will be an outdoor movie on the Hill with pizza, pop, snacks and more.
The next big event of the week is Rumble in the Jungle, the first cabaret of the year in the University of Lethbridge Student Union Zoo. Doors open to Freshies at 9 p.m. with general admission at 10 p.m. It is for 18 +.
But the big event is the Fresh U Jamboree which runs from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sept. 6 with a variety of live music beginning with acoustic duo The Acoustic Rhymers Jeff Wood and Aaron Gilbert at 3 p.m. , who will be followed by up and coming coming local pop and folk star Mike Maguire at 3:45.
They pick up the tempo at 4:30 with Delhi 2 Dublin who blend energetic Celtic music with a lot of contemporary pop and dance with East Indian music.
Calgary rock band Go For the Eyes follow at 5:30 p.m..
Then things take a turn for the dance with Vancouver alternative pop, R and B, dance and Hip hop combo Dirty Radio at 7:30 p.m.
Toronto based electro-pop rock sensation Lights aka Lights Poxleinter is up next at 8:30 p.m. She will release her brand new CD “Little Machines” on Sept. 23.
Toronto based hip hop/ electronica trio Keys N Krates finish the show at 9:45. pm.m. after that.
It is also an 18 + event.
“ This is biggest line up we’ve ever had. We’re really excited about it, ” he continued adding they chose a line up which would appeal to a variety of different people, so there is everything from folk to hip hop music happening.
“ It’s been a progressional increase,” he said.
And in the interest of keeping everyone safe, they are adding an after-party at the Zoo for those who want to stay on campus.
“ In the interests of keeping students safe, we are having an after-party in the Zoo beginning at 10:30 p.m. rather than sending everyone away at 11 p.m. But if people want to go downtown, we have hired an A+ Taxi,” he said.
He is expecting 1,500 people to attend the event this year, which has been running for the past seven years.
“It’s going to be pretty awesome,” he said.
“It’s a relaxing atmosphere and a place for students to get together and make their social connections. It’s a chance for them to meet new people. It’s important for them to make those connections,” he said.
Miller is excited about this year's event.
“I’m exited about all of them. Just being able to see them all develop,” he said.
Tickets for the Fresh U Jamboree cost $20 while a Fresh Fest ticket including admission to all of the events cost $65. You can get them at www.ULSU.ca
Admission is for students only though non-students can attend as a guest of a registered University of Lethbridge student.
