Fun Day 2004--Explore SU Saturday, September 18

SALISBURY, MD---Walking into the classroom, families saw the image on the wall, coming from the video camera attached to the microscope—blood pumping through the capillaries of a very-much-alive goldfish.  Later, in a chemistry lab, fireballs and explosions had children gleefully squealing and shouting. Meanwhile, a “Pot Party” was underway in the ceramics studio where parents as well as children were spinning the potters’ wheels and “throwing” clay--all relishing playing with mud. These were what one Salisbury University professor called “Wow!” experiences—all part of SU’s first “FUNday” in 2000. On Saturday, September 18, SU revives this “Festival for University Neighbors” (thus the FUN), a day for the whole family to enjoy.  Then, dDuring the afternoon and evening, popular music groups take center stage for outdoor performances. And icing on the cake—all these events are free! This time around, the day festival will be centered on the “Fun Day Green”—the expanse of lawn between Maggs Physical Activities Center, Henson Science Hall, Caruthers Hall and the Rt. 13 parking lot.  Near Caruthers will be the open-air stage for musicians.  In between will be inflatables such as a Moon Bounce and Obstacle Course for youngsters, a dunking booth, miniature golf for the family, arts and crafts such as duck carving with child-safe tools sponsored by the Ward Museum, games and free give-aways, candy and SU tattoos, a chance to be photographed with SU’s Sammy the Sea Gull, the police K-9 unit, 5-cent philosophical advice (á la Peanuts) from the Philosophy Department and much more! A hayride will provide tours of the campus and drop people off at Fulton Hall, Blackwell Library and other stops where families may enjoy more crafts, exhibits, demonstrations such as glass blowing, computer fun (make a personalized map of your house at 20,000 feet above the Earth) and liquid nitrogen ice cream compliments of the Chemistry Department.  Bring sneakers so you can play basketball and field hockey with the “big kids” during sports clinics. The Fun Day festival is from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Musical acts at the Fun Day Coffeehouse include Dr. Wayne Ackerson’s acoustic stylings from 11 a.m.-noon, followed by the Folk Heroes from noon-1:30 p.m., acoustic folk music from Diana Wagner from 1:30-2:30 and the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra Quintet from 2:30-3:30. Concerts on the Fun Day stage start with Red Letter Day at 3:30 p.m., followed by the SSO Quintet, the SU faculty band Pugsley and at 8 p.m., The Bone Daddies. Learning should be joyous, and Fun Day 2004—Explore SU celebrates that joy. For more details visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu/SUFunDay or call 410-543-6030.