Mayfest 2012 celebration set for April 27

Syracuse University will celebrate Mayfest 2012 on Friday, April 27, from 1-6 p.m. in Walnut Park, adjacent to the SU campus. This popular SU/SUNY-ESF students-only tradition is co-produced by the SU Student Association and University Union in partnership with SU and the City of Syracuse. Mayfest marks the arrival of spring and the end of the school year with live entertainment, prizes, and free food and drink. Valid, current SU and SUNY-ESF student ID cards are required for entry into the park.

“Mayfest is an event unique to Syracuse University and is one that is cherished by the students,” says Dylan Lustig, president of Student Association. “Thanks to the hard work of so many students, staff, city officials and more, we can continue enjoy the day with good food, music and friends.”

Entry into Mayfest is free for all SU and SUNY-ESF undergraduate students with a valid student ID. In addition, SU and SUNY-ESF undergraduate students are able to purchase with their student ID one ticket for a guest who is a current undergraduate student at another institution. A limited number of guest tickets are available, beginning Monday, April 9, at the Schine Box Office, for $21 each.

SU and SUNY-ESF graduate students will need to purchase a ticket to Mayfest for $10. SU College of Law students will also be required to purchase a ticket for $21. A limited number will be available for sale at the Schine Box Office beginning Monday, April 9.

All tickets include food, beverages, music entertainment and beer (if the student is at least 21 years old with a valid, state or government-issued ID.) Ticket sales will end at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 27, or earlier in the event the tickets sell out. Tickets can only be purchased by SU or SUNY-ESF students, with a limit of one ticket per (student) ID, and both the ticket and a valid college ID will be required for admission to Walnut Park on April 27.

The entertainment for Mayfest kicks off at 1:45 p.m. with Aer, followed by 5 &A Dime, Timeflies and Outasight at 4 p.m. to close the show. The entertainment continues after the music ends at 5:15 p.m., when the Daily Orange will host its annual chicken wing contest. Seven contestants will face off for prizes.

Mayfest leads into University Union’s Block Party 2012, which will take place the same day at the Carrier Dome. Kaskade will headline the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. He will be joined by Cold War Kids and another special guest, who will be announced at later time. Doors to the Dome will open at 6p.m.

Free food and beverages will be available at Mayfest. A limited amount of beer will be available to students age 21 and over at no charge (proof of age required). A student or guest will need to show proof of age to Chestnut Security staff. If the individual is 21 or older, then the individual will proceed to the next step: presenting a valid SU/SUNY-ESF ID, or ticket, to Chestnut Security staff, who will verify the student by swiping the ID card; guests and graduate students will hand in their ticket. The student or guest will then receive a bracelet from an SU administrative staff person. A student or guest arriving before 3 p.m. will be given a bracelet with four tabs that can be exchanged for four beers. A student or guest arriving at 3 p.m. or later will be given a bracelet with two tabs that can be exchanged for two beers. Students and guests can re-enter the beer area if they have a bracelet with tabs remaining on the bracelet.

Anyone who appears to have had too much to drink will not be served. All SU Food Services staff serving in the beer garden area have been trained in safe and legal service of alcohol by Responsible Server Training. This training includes recognizing the signs of intoxication, the personal responsibilities of serving alcoholic beverages and refusal of service if warranted. The serving staff are Carrier Dome Concessions employees who have experience with the service of beer at Carrier Dome events.

For the safety of students and residents of the University area, throughout the day of Friday, April 27, all city ordinances will be strictly enforced by the Syracuse Police Department in the Walnut Park area and along Euclid Avenue and in the East Neighborhood.

Walnut Park is located north of E.S. Bird Library and is bounded by Harrison Street to the north, Walnut Avenue to the east, Waverly Avenue to the south and Walnut Place to the west. Mayfest will take place rain or shine. The park and surrounding streets will be blocked off before, during and after the April 27 event:

• Walnut Place parking will be restricted from 6 a.m. April 25 to 10 p.m. on April 27, and will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on April 27.
• Walnut Avenue parking will be restricted from 6 a.m. April 25 to 10 p.m. on April 27, and will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on April 27.
• Marshall St. Parking will be restricted from 6 p.m. April 25 to 8 p.m. on April 27, and will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on April 27.
• East Adams Street (from the corner of University Avenue and Walnut) will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on April 27. UAG permit holders and visitors will be able to enter the garage from Adams Street.

Cars within these boundaries will be towed after 6 a.m. on Friday, April 27. Alternate parking will be available in the Manley and Fine lots.

Dining note: Due to staffing and food needs for this event, Shaw and Brockway dining halls will close at 2 p.m. on April 27.

For full information on Mayfest 2012, visit http://mayfest.syr.edu. For further questions, contact Student Association’s Lustig, drlustig@syr.edu or Rob Dekker rjdekker@syr.edu.