Syracuse University

SU Student Association, University Union present Mayfest 2011 April 29 in Walnut Park

Sara Miller
(315) 443-9038

Syracuse University will celebrate Mayfest 2011 on Friday, April 29, 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 a tradition and something that students look forward to celebrating all year long,” says Neal Casey, Student Association president. “Our cooperation with both UU and the City of Syracuse has made the event something to be proud of. Mayfest continues to be a wonderful tradition on campus.”

New this year is a guest policy whereby SU and SUNY-ESF students may purchase with their student ID one ticket for a guest who is also a current college student. Available at the Schine Box Office beginning Tuesday, April 12, guest tickets are $20 each, which includes food, beverages, music entertainment and beer (if the student is at least 21 years old with a valid, state-issued ID.) Guest ticket sales will end at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 29, or earlier in the event the limited tickets sell out. Tickets can only be purchased by SU or SUNY-ESF students, with a limit of one ticket per (student) ID, and guests will need the ticket and valid college ID for admission to Walnut Park on April 29.

Student performer Guy Harrison will kick off the Mayfest entertainment, followed by rising hip-hop star Hoodie Allen and capped by headliners The Cataracs, made famous by their single “Like a G6.”

Mayfest will lead into University Union’s Block Party 2011, which will take place the same day at the Carrier Dome. Kid Cudi will headline the event, which begins at 7 p.m. He will be joined by Nas & Damian Marley and Tinie Tempah. Doors to the Carrier Dome will open at 6 p.m.

Free food and beverages will be available at the event. 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: the student will present his/her SU/SUNY-ESF ID, or guest ticket, to Chestnut Security staff, who will verify the student by swiping the ID card and accessing the Odyssey System; guests 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 29, 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 29 event:

• Walnut Place will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on April 29. Parking will be restricted from 6 p.m. April 28 to 10 p.m. on April 29.
• Walnut Avenue (from Waverly Avenue to Harrison Street) will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on April 29. Parking will be restricted from 6 a.m. on April 28 to 8 p.m. on April 29.
• Marshall Street (from University Avenue to Walnut Avenue) will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on April 29. Parking will be restricted from 6 p.m. April 28 to 8 p.m. on April 29.
• East Adams Street (east of University Avenue to Walnut Avenue) will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on April 29.

Cars within these boundaries will be towed after 9 a.m. on Friday, April 29. 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 29.

On Saturday, April 30, everyone in the SU and SUNY-ESF communities is invited to participate in the communitywide Earth Day clean-up. Every year, more than 100 SU and SUNY-ESF students, faculty, staff and Syracuse-area residents gather to pick up litter in the University neighborhood. Participants will meet at the Westcott Community Center, 826 Euclid Ave., at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Students, staff and community members will meet for breakfast and to receive materials and assignments before breaking up into groups to clean up the neighborhood. For more information, visit: http://earthday.syr.edu/.

For full information on Mayfest 2011, visit http://mayfest.syr.edu. For further questions, contact Student Association’s Casey, npcasey@syr.edu, or Dan Scorpio, dpscorpio@syr.edu.