Students looking for ways to spend the Easter weekend don’t have to stray too far from campus because organizations across ASU are hosting a variety of events.
This weekend, students can enjoy a party at a Tempe campus residence hall, an art exhibit at the Downtown campus and an Easter egg hunt by the Memorial Union — all for free (and a can of food).
On Friday, from 2 to 5 p.m., the Devil’s Claw Courtyard at Hassayampa Academic Village will see the annual Aprilfest event, hosted by University Housing and Residential Student Engagement.
“It’s a tradition with the program that Aprilfest is kind of a play on Oktoberfest,” said Samantha Spidell, assistant community director for University Housing.
Students who attend the event will receive root beer as a nod to the fall festival.
“We’re having a variety of different events,” Spidell said, including an inflatable castle, dunk tank, basketball shoot-out and a tie-dye station.
“We have a lot of shirts,” Spidell said about the tie-dye station, “because we wanted to make sure everyone could participate.”
As an incentive for the early birds, the first 50 people to show up will receive a free pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
On Friday night, the Programming and Activities Board will host the annual Action, Advocacy, Arts event at the Downtown campus from 6 to 9 p.m.
For one night, ASU will join the First Friday Art Walk and offer its unique art gallery in the University Center to all visitors, as well as provide musical and mixed media performances.
Rebecca Herrera, executive director for the Programming and Activities Board for the Downtown campus, said this event is ASU’s way of giving back.
“A lot of community members feel ASU just kind of came in and took over,” Herrera said. “We want to break that stereotype or mindset that people have and just kind of show that ASU is more than willing to give back to the campus.”
Performances will take place in the lobby of the University Center. Free popcorn will be provided, and a caricature artist will be on hand for children with dreams of being cartoon characters.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., fraternity Omega Delta Phi will host its third annual Easter egg hunt and food drive at the Tempe campus.
Taking place on Hayden Lawn, the fraternity has brought together 21 organizations to create a family-friendly event with activities for everyone to enjoy.
“Our goal for this year is to hide over 2,000 eggs and give away 80 baskets,” said Rogelio Ruiz, president of Omega Delta Phi’s Epsilon chapter. “We’re expecting over 400 people.”
Omega Delta Phi asks those who attend to bring canned food, which will be donated to St. Mary’s Food Bank.
Other than the big hunt, which will take place near the Memorial Union, Omega Delta Phi has organized many activities for the kids, including face painting, potato sack races and a temporary tattoo station.
“Each organization has a different activity that they’re going to provide to the kids,” Ruiz said.
For children wishing for a final moment with the holiday’s poster animal, Omega Delta Phi managed to pull a few strings — the Easter Bunny will be in attendance.
“We’re inviting ASU students to participate,” Ruiz said, “to bring the Easter celebration to families that might not have as much.”
Reach the reporter at joseph.schmidt@asu.edu
