UNC Mirror

Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Lindsey Walker Renee Wrinkel, of Campus Missionary staff, tried a bite of senior communication major Ian Mickell's Czechoslovakian cookie at the Cultural Culinary Creations booth at the Bizarre on Wednesday. This was just one of the many booths that students and faculty could stop and get literature from.

Businesses and student organizations alike gathered to spread the word of what they have to offer to students at the University of Northern Colorado on Wednesday.

Heather Wisdom, manager of Big City Burrito, 2622 11th Ave., spent the day at the University Center handing out coupons to students as part of the Spring Bizarre, where local businesses, university groups and various organizations gathered to promote themselves to new-to-Greeley students.

"(The Bizarre) is a good way to advertise to the college students," Wisdom said. "Get the word out that we're nice and close to the campus, a good place to eat."

Wisdom isn't alone. According to Suzanne Tronco, administrative assistant for the Student Activities Office, the Spring Bizarre usually yields 37 booths, mainly for university organizations due to it being an indoor event and limited room at the UC. Tronco is in charge of registering organizations and assigning booths.

"It's a lot more of a club event in the spring than in the fall," Tronco said. "There are some vendors and some non-profits represented, but there is probably a greater percentage of clubs and organizations involved."

Along with businesses, such as Big City Burrito, campus organizations present at the Spring Bizarre included the Student Representative Council and Campus Crusade for Christ, there to spread the word about their causes. Adriane Zachary, a sophomore audiology and speech pathology major, worked the SRC booth, handing out key chains to students who passed by.

"We're just trying to get the SRC name out there to students," Zachary said. "A lot of students don't know that they have a student government or that we're here for them and we want to get that out that we're here for them."

Campus Crusade is an inter-denominational ministry, which represents 115 students on campus and has chapters across the globe. Those running the booth gave out candy and talked to students about summer projects that span the world.

"We're designed to meet anybody whereever they are with their walk with God, and provide fellowship and just create an atmosphere where you can discuss what you believe and get to know one another," said Ben Clasquin, a staff leader for Campus Crusade.

Some of the vendors at the Bizarre were very pleased with the size of the turnout.

"These just get bigger all the time," Tronco said. "The Fall Bizarre, we probably have 6,000 students attend those. (The Spring Bizarre), I would say probably 1,000 students at this one."

Of course, vendors do lure students to the Bizarre.

"It's just a fantastic event. I love it; I just think it's fun, and… kids just love free stuff," Tronco added.

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