Day off Friday time to relax for students
It's such a gentle day that it has spanned across the past 42 years.
The 42nd Annual Gentle Friday is expected to attract a couple of thousand students on Friday. The event starts at noon and is located at Warriner Mall, and is open to the public.
Allegan senior and Program Board cultural events chair Carrie Lewis said the event first started in 1967.
"It started off as a peace protest during Vietnam and transformed into an event for students to relax before exam week," she said. "We have a couple thousand people come each year."
The event will feature a variety of different registered student organizations.
"It's just a big stress-reliever before finals," Lewis said. "It's one last day students can see their friends before summer starts."
Lewis said the top-10 male and female homecoming ambassadors will be announced as well.
Milan senior and Program Board vice president Kelsey Moran said the band "Goodnight LA" will perform from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Moran, the event organizer, said there will be more activities besides the ones Program Board are putting on.
"We also have about 30 RSO's and I imagine some of them (are) putting on activities too," the Saline senior said. "We're hoping deans and presidents show up."
Moran jokingly agreed that the event could be University President Michael Rao's "going away party."
"Should I get him a cake?" she said with a laugh.
Moran said the event is like MAINstage, except at the opposite end of the school year.
"I wasn't aware of it my freshmen year," she said. "For me it's just a fun time for me to be with people I like being with."
Program Board also will show the film "Fan Boys" on the jumbotron at Kelly/Shorts Stadium at dusk. Moran said it is the first time that any movie has been shown as part of Gentle Friday.
Lewis said though they expect thousands at the event she will be looking for one regular in particular.
"There's a lady that was at the first Gentle Friday and has been at each one since," she said. "So I'm sure she will be there this year as well."
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