Big E offers chance to showcase UMass

Mass will again be in the spotlight when the Eastern States Exposition, popularly known as the Big E, begins its 16-day run on Sept. 13.

     The various campuses are sharing responsibility for staffing the UMass booth in the Massachusetts Building at the West Springfield fairgrounds. The cost of the booth space is being paid by the President's Office.

     UMass Amherst will be featured Sept. 16-18 and 20-22, according to Kim D. Fill, marketing project manager with Communications & Marketing. On those days, visitors to the booth will receive plastic bags emblazoned with the UMass logo. The cost of the bags is being shared by Communications & Marketing and the Alumni Association.

     The bags will also be distributed Sept. 18-26 at an Alumni Association tent.

     During the course of the fair, the campus will also be showcased through special programs and performances on the Massachusetts Building lawn, said Fill. The complete schedule of events is as follows:

     Sept. 13: Cheerleaders will perform on the front lawn around 5 p.m. The Minuteman Mascot will appear 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

     Sept. 14: On-the-hour performances by the Dance Team from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. and the Minuteman Mascot appears 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

     Sept. 15: Inside the Massachusetts Building, Andrew Fagg, director of the Wearable Computing Group in the Computer Science Department, will conduct an interactive exhibit featuring computer systems. On the lawn, UMass Police will conduct demonstrations by the mountain bike, motorcycle and mounted units and presentations on child car-seat safety and alcohol education. The Minuteman Mascot will appear 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

     Sept. 16: The men's soccer team will conduct a clinic on the lawn from 3-6 p.m.

     Sept. 18: The first of nine days of activities presented by the Alumni Association and the Athletic Department under a tent on the lawn. They will include daily putting-green contests for valuable prizes, special appearances by UMass sports figures, and giveaways of posters, schedules, helium balloons, and UMass Amherst bags. On the lawn the UMass Police will conduct interactive demonstrations of its rape aggression defense (RAD) programs for adults and children. Information about both programs will be available. The Mounted Police Unit will be on hand and staff will provide information on child car-seat safety and alcohol education.

     Sept. 19 (Massachusetts Day) Student Valley Productions featuring Toast!, a student improv group, will perform on the stage from 4-5 p.m. The Minuteman Mascot will make appearances 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. The Alumni Association and Athletic Department will co-host activities under the tent, including special autograph sessions by men's basketball coach Steve Lappas and athletic director Ian McCaw. UMass Extension's 4-H Youth and Family Development Program will host an interactive display titled "In-Touch Science" on the lawn. The day will conclude with a performance around 6 p.m. by the Minuteman Marching Band, which will also march in the Mardi Gras Parade at 7:30 p.m. Inside the Massachusetts Building, President William M Bulger and Chancellor John V. Lombardi greet visitors around 11 a.m.

     Sept. 20: UMass Extension's Nutrition Education Program will host interactive displays titled "Breakfast Around the World" and "Five Pounds of Fat." The Alumni Association and Athletic Department will co-host activities under the tent.

     Sept. 21: The women's lacrosse team will conduct a clinic on the lawn from 3-5 p.m. The Minuteman Mascot will make appearances 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. The Alum-ni Association and Athletic Department will co-host activities.

     Sept. 22: The Minuteman Mascot will appear 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. The Alumni Association and Athletic Department will co-host activities under the tent. Also on the lawn the UMass Police Department will provide information about its many programs and offer materials on child car-seat safety and alcohol education. The Mounted Police Unit will be on hand.

     Sept. 23-24: The Alumni Association and Athletic Department will co-host activities under the tent.

     Wednesday, Sept. 25: The wo-men's crew team and shell will be featured on the front lawn. The Alumni Association and Athletic Department will co-host activities under the tent. Also on the lawn, the UMass Police will conduct activities and demonstrations.

     Thursday, Sept. 26: Fleet Services will display the campus's electric neighborhood vehicle. The Alumni Association and Athletic Department will co-host activities under the tent.

     Saturday, Sept. 28: Minuteman Mascot will appear 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

     Sunday, Sept. 29: College of Engineering students will display the supermileage vehicle they designed and built. The Minuteman Mascot appears 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.