The Student Committee on Programming Events, fondly known as SCOPE, has once again given the UNH community a wonderful Spring Weekend. Things got started with a bang on Friday night with the concert.

Volunteers started arriving at Charger Gymnasium as early as 7:00 in the morning to start setting up for the big night. A total of four box trucks were unloaded that morning; the contents of the trucks transforming the gym into a concert venue. With everything set up and ready to go it was time to open the doors and let the crowd fill the gym. The show was sold out and it showed in the way the gym filled up.

The concert started with a performance by Blue Jupiter, an a cappella group based in New York City. They performed a variety of songs ranging from Tom Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway” to Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.” The group has won many awards and did not disappoint last Friday. The group also performed in between acts to keep the audience entertained throughout the night. If you loved them and want to hear more visit www.bluejupiter.com.

The next act was Trey Songz. The hip hop/R&B artist from Petersburg, Virginia sang hits from his first two albums we well as the first one released from his upcoming album. He had everyone in the gym doing the “two step” and of course had most of the ladies swooning. His website is www.treysongz.com if you want more information.

Trapt was up next. The group from Los Gatos, California is best known for its hit “Headstrong”. They performed this hit for the UNH crowd as well as other songs from their three studio albums. This performance got the crowd extremely worked up and ready for the headliner.  If you love Trapt and want more, join their social network at www.onlythroughthepain.com.

Finally it was time for Third Eye Blind. The group performed their old hits as well as some new things off of their upcoming album Ursa Major due out later this year. They performed fan favorites including “Semi-Charmed Life”, “How’s It Going To Be” and “Motorcycle Drive By”. Some members of the audience felt compelled to crowd surf and start mosh pits, but the security provided by SCOPE, campus police and West Haven police quickly diffused all of the situations. These groups did a great job maintaining the safety of the UNH students/guests as well as the bands.

After the show was over some students stuck around to help break down and load out the equipment. Kudos to those students who did tough it out and get everything clean for the next day. It was an extremely long night, but worth it to be a part of the weekend.

The weather cleared on Saturday in time for the carnival. Between the rides, food, free stuff and Bula the 41 year old marshmallow-loving elephant there was no end to the fun.

SCOPE went out of its way to make sure there was something for everyone at this carnival. There was the typical carnival food (popcorn, cotton candy and fried dough) as well as enchiladas and Dipin’ Dots ice cream. Sodexo also provided dinner in the form of a BBQ with chicken, burgers, hotdogs, watermelon and cookies.

For rides there was the tilt-o-rama, super trooper, berry-go-round, dragon coaster, fun house and huge slide. Students could also race each other on adult-size tricycles and bathtubs. They could also test themselves on the mechanical bull and balance-tester. The usual carnival games were also present if students wanted to play.

Students could get just about whatever they wanted made out of balloons, wax molds of their hands, caricatures, photo strips, photo cell phone tags, manicures and massages. Many students left North Campus with their arms full of mementoes to help them remember the weekend.

Then of course there was the much anticipated elephant ride. This aspect of the carnival received mixed reviews from the students. While most couldn’t wait for their chance to ride an elephant, others found keeping the elephant walking in small circles not at all appealing.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to ride an elephant as I honestly can’t think of any other time in the future I will have that chance with two of my best friends beside me.
Even though I did not win any of the prizes at the end of the day, there was a great selection that offered something for everyone.

The evening closed with comedian John Heffron in North Campus, attracting about 500 students.