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Block party Fallfest likely to draw 12,000-plus on Sunday (Aug. 24)

CHAPEL HILL -- Climbing walls, a pep rally with the Marching Tar Heels, free pizza and much more will welcome University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students to campus at Fallfest, from 9 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 24) to 2 a.m. Monday (Aug. 25) on South Road.

The block party, now in its seventh year, celebrates the start of the school year and shows that students can have fun without drinking alcohol. Fall semester classes begin Tuesday (Aug. 26).

"We will have probably more food than we’ve ever had, and more student organizations participating than ever," said Don Luse, director of the Carolina Union and Fallfest coordinator. "Last year the fire department estimated the crowd at 12,500. We grow every year by about 2,500. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger."

Area residents should be aware that South Road will be closed between Country Club Road and Raleigh Street from 5 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. Monday.

The Marching Tar Heels, UNC's student band, and the UNC Cheerleaders will start the fun at 9 p.m. with a pep rally. Chancellor James Moeser will welcome students, and head coaches John Bunting (football) and Sylvia Hatchell (women's basketball) will help rev up the crowd. Men’s basketball coach Roy Williams cannot attend because of a prior commitment, Luse said, but a team representative is expected on the stage to help stoke school spirit.

Starting at 9:30 p.m., students will be served free ice cream by the first two of a series of "Distinguished Dippers": Moeser and Provost Robert Shelton. Student groups performing on two stages from 9:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. will include step dancers from black fraternities and sororities; the Clefhangers, an a cappella group; and student rock bands.

Students also may take part in dozens of games and competitions on Michael Hooker Field. Sports clubs will showcase rugby, soccer, crew, Ultimate Frisbee and more.

"Fallfest has quickly turned into a back-to-school tradition," Luse said. "Students really enjoy something they can participate in that’s just plain fun. It’s a great start to the school year, and it’s really student-oriented. Fallfest is a place where people reconnect with friends and make new friends -- that’s been its success."

This year, pizza will be supplied by Domino's and Papa John's, soft drinks by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Durham, bagels from Panera Bread and Alpine Bagels, and other items by the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. and Carolina Dining Services.

Sponsors are the Carolina Union, the Carolina Parent's Association, the UNC General Alumni Association, Carolina Dining, the Department of Housing and Residential Education, Campus Recreation and other university departments. For more information, call 966-3128.

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Note to editors: Media representatives covering Fallfest may park behind Davis Library, off Raleigh Street near South Road. Satellite trucks may be parked in the bus stop at the Frank Porter Graham Student Union on South Road. From N.C. 54 west leading to campus, detour around the party by turning right onto Country Club Road, left at the next stoplight onto Raleigh. Car spaces will be on the right just before South Road; trucks should turn right onto South and look for the bus stop on the right.

Contact: Don Luse, 966-3120, lused@email.unc.edu
News Services contact: L.J. Toler, 962-8589, 962-2091; Saturday, Sunday, pager 216-2584.