Instead of the traditional spring concert, St. Thomas Student Activities and Recreation is hosting the first ever Tommie Fest Music Festival from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

STAR made the decision to revamp the spring event after none of the potential artists they contacted were able to perform here, according to STAR Finance and Large Events Intern, senior Mark Hill.

“We’re really excited,” Hill said. “We were presented with a challenge, and I think also an opportunity. The people we wanted for the spring concert were unavailable. So we … made the decision that we wanted to do something more similar to a music festival to celebrate the year. There’s a lot of free stuff they can walk away with and memories that can be created.”

The event will be held on the John P. Monahan Plaza and inside the Anderson Student Center and will feature a wide variety of activities and musicians. Students can try out a rock climbing wall, a NASCAR Simulator, Slo-Mo video booth, ORBITRON (a carnival ride), caricature artists, photo booths, face painters, metallic temporary tattoos, photo candy boxes, free T-shirts, two free meals and more.

Junior Alex MacMillan said he thinks holding an outdoor festival instead of a concert is a great plan.

“I think students will enjoy it, but both seem like fun options,” MacMillan said. “I’d say it’s important to have. I think – with everybody having finals going on and all that – I think it’s a nice break for people to be able to take.”

Six local artists will perform in Scooters. Assistant Director of Campus Life Krysten Edwards said the variety of entertainment should attract more students than a one-event, one-genre concert.

“We wanted to get a lot of variety because I think with spring concerts we can only go with one band, one kind of genre, and if it’s not what students want, they’re not going to come,” Edwards said. “We’re going to have a variety this year.”

Bands performing include The Shane Martin Band (country), Malamanya (salsa), Toki Wright (hip-hop), Chastity Brown (indie), the Summit Singers (a cappella) and Rogue Valley (rock).

Freshman Rachel Fry agreed that the variety is likely to attract more students, including her.

“I think that would actually be super interesting,” Fry said. “I didn’t go to the winter concert with Karmin because I don’t really like that type of music. I think it’s really cool that they’re bringing in something that will apply to everyone.”

Freshman Morgan Henry also thought the more artists, the better.

“I think it sounds cool – a lot more fun,” Henry said. “I think there’s a lot more to do with more options that will bring in more people than one artist would.”

Still, some students, such as freshman Felicia Kienitz, miss the idea of a big concert.

“I think bringing in one big name – one person who a lot of people love – is a huge deal, and I think it’s better than having these not big-name people come in and perform,” Kienitz said.

Both Fry and Kienitz agreed that it will be nice to have the event outside, something STAR has been trying to do for a while, according to Edwards.

“At the end of the year it’s fun, with hopefully nice weather and a good time for people to get out and celebrate the end of the year,” Edwards said. “It’s nice to be outside when you have a short amount of time in the school year when it’s nice outside.”

If, on the off chance the event is moved inside the student center, all activities will proceed as planned with the exception of the rock climbing wall and the ORBITRON.

Hill said a lot of planning and work has gone into this event beyond that of a normal concert, which is one reason he’s hoping it goes off without a hitch.

“It’s a new St. Thomas experience,” Hill said. “There’s nothing like this that’s quite been done (at St. Thomas) before, at least in my time. It’s a new St. Thomas experience and hopefully will be one that becomes a tradition. We’ve put a lot of work into this, and we’re excited.”

The event is free for all undergraduate students. Students must present their student ID at the registration table, where they will receive an all-access wristband.

Simeon Lancaster can be reached at lanc4637@stthomas.edu.