CONWAY — University of Central Arkansas freshman Deonte Jackson of Star City had a tote bag bulging with T-shirts and other free items he’d picked up Friday at Conway Daze, an annual campus event.
“I’m enjoying it so far — getting to meet a lot of people and do a lot of things,” he said. As for the freebies, “I’m getting all I can.”
Conway businesses, including restaurants and banks, gave away information, food samples and advertising items, from frozen custard and pizzas to Frisbees and pens. Recognized student organizations, clubs and departments set up tables to recruit new members or to get the word out about their services and activities.
The event was held in the Student Center Courtyard and amphitheater for the first time. Traditionally held on the UCA football practice field during Welcome Week, Conway Daze was rescheduled because of rain.
UCA junior Paulina Jimenez of North Little Rock, secretary of the Latino Student Organization, was manning the group’s table with junior Javier Hernandez of Springdale, also a member of the organization.
“We do really cool potlucks and performances,” Jimenez told a student who stopped at the table.
“We’re just telling people that we are here, and anybody can join — they don’t have to be Latinos,” Hernandez said. “What we’re trying to do is spread a little bit of our culture.”
The members gave away punch and candy as they explained the perks of their organization.
College City, an extension of City Church in Conway, was represented, too. UCA student Aaron Carter of Conway was making balloon animals to give out.
“Free kitty cat? Free kitty cat?” he asked passers-by. Next, he made a giraffe. “It’s just a hobby I picked up — it gets people’s attention,” he said.
Daniel Ramirez of Glenwood, a junior, was leaving the event with fellow UCA students Samantha Huitt and Ashley Johnson. Ramirez said he’s been to Conway Daze before and went Friday because he wants to get “more involved in college.”
“I was looking for the Pre-Med Club,” Ramirez said. He found it, joined, “and I got a free cookie, so that was good,” he said, laughing.
UCA’s student newspaper, The Echo, gave out all of its T-shirts — about 275 — to early birds who arrived before the event’s 1:30 p.m. starting time, said editor Misti Hollenbaugh of Greenbrier. The shirts were designed by Paige Yutsus, assistant campus life editor.
Hollenbaugh, a senior, said it was the first time the student newspaper was represented with a booth at Conway Daze or had given out T-shirts, and Hollenbaugh said she and sports editor Kelsey Williams, who were manning the booth, were “bombarded.”
In addition to the T-shirts, “we wanted to do something the students could interact with,” she said. Associate editor Jared Holt suggested a photo booth. Hollenbaugh created a large mock front page that served as a picture frame, where attendees had their photos made. The photos were posted on The Echo’s Facebook page and were scheduled to be published in Wednesday’s print edition.
“[The event was] a good way to get the word out about who we are and what we do,” Hollenbaugh said. She also said she was happy to see a student wearing one of The Echo T-shirts on Monday.
“I was a little bit concerned about moving [Conway Daze] to Friday afternoon because of the turnout,” UCA President Tom Courtway said, adding that like most of his fears, that one was unfounded.
“I’m very, very pleased at the number of students, faculty and staff that are here,” Courtway said as he looked at the crowd milling about. “I’m thrilled; thrilled at the number of businesses that are here.” He said he appreciates the “cooperation and spirit” of the Conway businesses that set up booths each year to give out information to students.
Colin Stanton, director of New Student Programs, said 49 businesses and nonprofit organizations paid to have a presence at the event. He said that despite the event being delayed nine days, about the same number of vendors, student organizations and campus departments participated as have in the past three years he has been involved with Conway Daze.
“The feedback we got was that people loved the location,” Stanton said. “It looked really cool, and it kind of changed the whole vibe — and it had more shade. They loved the event in general, more so when and where it was than in years past.”
Stanton said although the event might be moved back to Welcome Week for next year, he plans to explore holding Conway Daze in the Student Center Courtyard.
Businesses in particular liked the location, Stanton said.
“I heard more from them than anybody else how much they liked it, and if paying customers like it, we’re going to do what we can to accommodate them,” he said.
Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.